The University of Chicago’s Office of Federal Relations, located in the heart of Washington, D.C., supports the work of the University by identifying or creating opportunities to promote University interests to the White House, executive branch agencies, members of Congress, and other national opinion leaders and stakeholders.
Areas in which the Office of Federal Relations provides support include science and innovation-related funding and legislation, University of Chicago Medical Center issues, urban-related research and community engagement, national laboratories funding and policy, and international education (Title VI) policy.
Supporting the University Community
The Office of Federal Relations, part of the University of Chicago Office of Civic Engagement, supports the work of the University community by identifying sources of federal funding, influencing policy debates, and elevating successful University of Chicago initiatives to a national level.
Identifying sources of federal funding
The Office of Federal Relations works with faculty and administrators of the University and federal agencies to identify and develop funding opportunities for faculty and institutes. To serve the University community, our staff meets with relevant agency personnel, coordinates meetings on campus with relevant faculty, and further facilitates contact between faculty and federal partners.
Influencing policy debates
Federal Relations represents the University of Chicago in national policy discussions that bear on key University activities. We are actively engaged in conversations with government officials regarding research, funding, student aid, health care, and other important issues relevant to the University. We also support faculty and students who choose to engage on policy matters, often times preparing faculty testifying on Capitol Hill or University members who are asked to speak before government officials.
Elevating ideas to a national level
Federal Relations works with faculty to raise the profile of the many successful initiatives and research conducted by the University to a national level. We strive to share our discoveries and important research to a national audience so that our work can make a positive impact on other institutions and cities.
Opportunities we can facilitate
- Participating in advocacy meetings with members of Congress and their staffs
- Testifying at congressional hearings and briefings
- Joining executive branch advisory groups and task forces
- Actively engaging in White House convening
- Meeting with opinion leaders in Washington, D.C.
- Speaking at national forums
- Hosting policymakers and other opinion leaders on campus
Office facilities
The Office of Federal Relations is open to UChicago students, faculty, staff, and alumni who are visiting Washington, D.C. We have private visitor offices with phones and computers, as well as a conference room that may be used for meetings and events. The main conference room can seat up to 30 people in a boardroom setting or more depending on room set-up. The space is equipped with a video conferencing system and large TV that can be connected to a computer for presentations.
The office building has a rooftop deck with a scenic view that can be reserved for University of Chicago events and functions gratis. Maximum capacity is 200 people. The rooftop space is available for use from April to October, 4-10 p.m., with approval from the building management. The rooftop deck and private visitor facilities can be used for functions consistent with the University’s stated purposes and applicable law.
We can also help with securing venues, catering, and speakers in Washington, with sufficient lead-time.
While we do our best to accommodate all requests, certain periods are busier than others. Please reserve the offices and event space through Kellie Mullarkey well ahead of time when possible. Please contact her at kmullarkey@uchicago.edu or call 202-461-3481.
View Our Office on a Map: Click Here
Directions from Public Transit
We are less than a five-minute walk from the Farragut West Metro Station, which serves the Blue and Orange lines, and Farragut North which serves the Red Line. From the station, walk south on 17th Street NW toward I Street NW. Turn right at Pennsylvania Ave NW. Our office is on the left.
Find metro schedules and information on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority website.
Office of Federal Relations
1730 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Suite 275
Washington, DC, 20006
202-461-3481
federalrelations@uchicago.edu