August 15: APLU joined the Association of American Universities (AAU) in sending a letter to Shaun Donovan, Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) urging strong commitments to federal investments in higher education and research as the FY16 budget is developed. The letter requests investments in Pell Grant and other federal student financial aid programs; strong funding levels for graduate education and Title VI international programs; funding to expand the number of U.S. students studying abroad; and strong investments in federal science and research agencies, among other items.