REDD News October 2025

Dear Colleagues,

A few weeks ago, the White House released its annual memorandum outlining federal research and development (R&D) priorities for Fiscal Year 2027. Issued jointly by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), this guidance helps shape how federal agencies align their investments for the coming years.

 

For FY2027, the administration’s priorities emphasize maintaining U.S. leadership in critical and emerging technologies while advancing national and economic security. The Administration calls for a renewed “Golden Age of American Innovation”—anchored in energy independence, technological supremacy, and economic growth—driven by government, academia, and industry collaboration, and free from non-scientific agendas. The memo reorients the federal research enterprise toward bold, mission-driven, and high-impact investments that strengthen economic competitiveness, create high-wage jobs, and advance U.S. strategic interests. The Administration seeks to restore America’s science and technology dominance through targeted investments in:

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) – foundational research in data-efficient, interpretable, secure AI systems; applied AI for nuclear energy, quantum science, space analytics, and robotics.
• Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST) – fundamental and applied research, testbeds, and advanced manufacturing for next-generation quantum devices.
• Semiconductors and Microelectronics – ensuring trusted, resilient, and advanced domestic chip capabilities through coordinated public-private R&D.
• Advanced Communications Networks – advancing 5G, 6G, and space-based systems, integrating AI to enhance security, spectrum efficiency, and innovation.
• Future Computing & Advanced Manufacturing – integrating exascale-to-edge computing, developing prototypes and testbeds, and accelerating materials discovery and smart manufacturing through automation, robotics, and AI.

 

Beyond technologies for the future, the memo also lists the following priorities.

• Energy Dominance & Critical Minerals – expanding advanced nuclear fission and fusion, supporting small modular and microreactors, and strengthening domestic uranium and critical mineral supply chains.
• National Security – R&D for hypersonic systems, autonomous defense technologies, resilient space assets, cybersecurity, and missile defense under the “Golden Dome for America” initiative.
• Health & Biotechnology – advancing biosafety, biosecurity, biomanufacturing, and next-generation disease prevention and treatment, including agricultural and food security R&D.
• Space Leadership – prioritizing human and robotic missions to the Moon and Mars, in-space manufacturing, nuclear power systems, and space-based sensing and propulsion innovations.

 

These research areas will be fostered through the following cross-cutting priorities.

• Gold Standard Science – uphold rigor, reproducibility, transparency, and effective research management.
• STEM Workforce Development – expand access to high-quality STEM education and lifelong learning aligned with emerging technologies.
• World-Class Research Infrastructure – invest in shared facilities, data platforms, testbeds, and autonomous research systems accessible across sectors.
• Strengthen the S&T Ecosystem – promote public-private partnerships, technology transfer, and interagency coordination while protecting R&D from foreign exploitation.
• High-Value, Mission-Aligned Research – focus funding on strategic, outcome-driven R&D that directly supports agency missions and national priorities.

While Congress ultimately determines funding levels, these priorities signal where federal investments and collaboration opportunities are likely to grow. The emphasis on AI, quantum science, biotechnology, nuclear energy, and critical minerals aligns closely with several of UW’s strategic research strengths. Through Wyoming Innovation Partnership investments, we are well prepared for undertaking workforce development which will positively impact Wyoming’s economy.

 

With recent investments through faculty hires, computer infrastructure modernization, and research seed grants for AI applications, UW researchers are advancing AI applications in many areas.  Wyoming’s strengths in energy and natural resources position us as a key contributor to several of these national priorities. With rich uranium and critical mineral deposits, and active investments in next-generation nuclear energy technologies, UW researchers are advancing work in nuclear materials, environmental sciences, and mineral processing. These are just two examples of UW’s efforts that support both national energy independence and the secure supply chains critical to advanced manufacturing and defense technologies.

 

As federal agencies promote initiatives such as testbeds, consortia, and shared scientific datasets, new opportunities will emerge for UW researchers to collaborate with government and industry partners. The Research and Economic Development Division will continue to track these federal directions and help position UW and Wyoming researchers for success in these evolving national priority areas.

Next week at the REDD Town Hall on Thursday October 23rd at noon in Classroom Building, room 310 we will provide funding agency updates including federal shutdown, discuss FY2027 federal priorities, and discuss NSF EPSCoR opportunities for E-CORE and E-RISE grants.

 

Sincerely,

 

Parag Chitnis

Vice President

Research and Economic Development

Old Main 308
Laramie, WY 82071
Main Office 307-766-5353
vpred@uwyo.edu ● www.uwyo.edu/research