Our Work

APLU works with members to confront and overcome the extraordinary challenges facing public research universities. We are working collectively to broaden access to higher education, garner renewed investment in research, and tackle societal challenges while spurring economic growth. Public universities are working to address urgent student needs, advance equity and degree completion, and address their communities’ most urgent work. 

Federal Policy & Advocacy

APLU works closely with members, fellow higher education groups, the business community, scientific organizations, and others on a range of issues and causes.  A core focus of our effort involves drawing on the collective strength of our member institutions to effectively advocate for federal policies and funding levels that support and enhance the work of public research universities.

• Federal Budget and Appropriations
• Higher Education Policy and Student Aid
• Research and Science
• Agriculture and Natural Resources
• International Issues

Driving Student Success

A core mission of public universities is to provide students from all different backgrounds access to a high-quality, affordable education, help those students obtain a degree, and ultimately work to ensure graduates are prepared for a lifetime of learning.

• Removing Affordability Barriers
• Reimagining Teaching to Maximize Student Learning
• Providing Holistic Support & Ensuring Basic Student Needs
• Preparing Students for the Workforce & Post-Collegiate Success
• Using Data to Improve Student Success

Fostering Research & Innovation

APLU promotes robust federal research funding as well as policies and university practices designed to support research, one of the core missions of our public universities. University research improves lives and has a significant impact on economic development and growth. 

• Federal Advocacy for Research
• Public Impact Research
• Modernizing Scholarship for the Public Good

Deepening Community & Economic Engagement

APLU and its member institutions are deeply engaged in their communities and regions. Through partnerships with community organizations, state and local governments, entrepreneurs, small businesses, major corporations, and others, they advance economic development, tackle societal challenges, and foster great places to work and live.

• Meeting Workforce Needs
• Partnering as Economic Engines of Success
• Elevating Engaged Research & Community Partnerships
• Supporting International Programs

Highlighted Projects & Initiatives

APLU developed a guide and toolkit on Public Impact Research to help universities focus and plan research directly impact the public and communicate about this critically important work publicly.

APLU’s Public University Values (#PublicUValues) campaign illuminates key facts about the value of public universities and clarify common misconceptions on college costs; student debt; lifetime earnings; societal benefits; and research and community engagement.

Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) Universities

The IEP designation program helps universities better know, measure, tell, and enhance their economic and community development impact while recognizing institutions with a commitment to and strategy for regional economic engagement, growth, and economic opportunity. 

Building a Future Workforce for All Learners

Public research universities are deploying a diverse array of strategies to build 21st Century skills for learners through new models for higher education and life-long learning.

Supporting Our Work

APLU thanks the 20 NGOs and government agencies who supported our work in the last year. In 2021, APLU’s projects and initiatives had a combined contribution of more than $38 million over the life of the grants.