The February 25-26, 2016 Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) meeting report presents a detailed overview of current issues, initiatives, and regulatory developments affecting research institutions, particularly in areas of research and regulatory reform, costing policies, contracts, intellectual property, and research compliance. Key reform efforts focus on reducing administrative burdens on grantees, streamlining grant and regulatory processes for both human and animal research, and addressing ongoing challenges such as proposed changes to the Common Rule and biospecimen consent, digital accountability (DATA Act), and animal transportation policies. The National Science Foundation (NSF) and other agencies have engaged in surveys and pilot programs to modernize proposal processes, harmonize requirements, and improve information systems, with university participants sharing best practices to decrease administrative workload.
In costing policy, the report highlights ongoing dialogue with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to standardize and streamline grant closeout procedures, address reconciliation of financial reporting, and clarify policy discrepancies. Issues surrounding the implementation of federal procurement standards and Uniform Guidance are being actively negotiated with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), with calls for higher micro-purchase thresholds and institution-specific exemptions. Compliance with the Affordable Care Act, NIH salary cap updates, and equitable treatment of off-campus research centers are also covered. The contracts and intellectual property section details COGR's advocacy on cybersecurity requirements (DFARS clauses), open licensing, foundation funding challenges, and the NIH’s approach to data and biospecimen ownership under the Precision Medicine Initiative. In research compliance and administration, new resources such as effective practices guides and policy listservs are noted, along with engagement with regulators to improve research integrity processes, address administrative bottlenecks, and respond to new regulatory initiatives such as proposed drone legislation affecting research institutions. Overall, the report documents COGR's continued efforts to advocate for research institutions, seek regulatory clarity, and facilitate efficient, compliant research administration.
