About Government Relations

Vice President Cynthia H. Wilbanks oversees the Office of the Vice President for Government Relations.

University officials monitor federal and state legislation that impacts or involves higher education. Officials work with elected officials and government agencies in providing information and research findings that may assist their policy work.

We have offices in Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Washington, D.C.



Featured Topics

Business Engagement Center (BEC)

SPARK

  • SPARK Business Accelerator
    The SPARK Business Accelerator speeds up the development of start-ups in the region with a variety of valuable services. It is designed to shorten the time required to attract capital, customers, or other resources.
  • Spark News
  • Spark Events

University Research Corridor (URC)

An alliance of Michigan’s three leading research institutions: Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University.
Michigan's University Research Corridor R&D Spending Growth Surpasses Other Leading U.S. Research Clusters. Read more


Compliance Resource CenterThe Compliance Resource Center includes practical information about compliance topics, and more.

U-M Health System

Innovate!

  • University to Invest in its own Startup Businesses
    U-M will directly invest in its own startup businesses through the Michigan Investment in New Technology Startups (MINTS) initiative. Read More
    U-M spinoff Weather Underground has given a $500,000 gift to the Center for Entrepreneurship

The Center for Local,State and Urban Policy (CLOSUP)

  • Within the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, CLOSUP functions as an information resource for policymakers and practitioners, academics, students, the media, and the public.
  • The Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS) is a new, ongoing program of survey research.
  • The Michigan Consortium for Education Research (MCER) is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Education (MDE), Michigan State University (MSU), and the University of Michigan (UM).

Alumni Advocacy

The Legislative Advocacy program promotes the value of public higher education to elected officials in the State of Michigan. Volunteers in the program communicate with officials on the State appropriation bill, as well as other non-budget issues as needed.

Wolverine Caucus

Next Caucus Event:6/12/13 "Putting American Schools Back to Work: The Michigan Model Scales Up " For more information
2013 Caucus Schedule: PDF or DOCX

Energy Institute Blog

The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute (MMPEI) clarifies the Institute's identity as an interdisciplinary research unit of the Office of the Vice President of Research that draws on expertise from across the entire University to develop, coordinate, and promote energy research and education.

    UMEI Research Thrusts
  • Energy policy, economics and societal impact
  • Carbon-free energy sources
  • Energy storage and utilization
  • Transportation and fuels

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