The February 2020 COGR Meeting Report provides a detailed overview of issues and developments relevant to research administration and compliance, especially in the context of federal funding. A significant emphasis is placed on the evolving impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with COGR convening a dedicated work group to address institutional concerns related to federal awards, such as travel, personnel costs, and operational disruptions. COGR's advocacy, in coordination with peer associations, contributed to expanded federal administrative relief measures for impacted organizations. The report also summarizes regulatory and policy developments, such as revised Department of Education Section 117 reporting requirements, restrictions on Huawei equipment, and clarification efforts concerning DOE Order 142.3A. Meetings and panel discussions focused on research security, particularly frameworks for evaluating global engagements, and addressed sector concerns about donor confidentiality and administrative burdens in compliance processes.
Additional sections detail committee reports covering costing and financial compliance, with updates on Uniform Guidance revisions, cloud computing cost allocation, compliance supplements, and efforts to streamline federal research grant administration. The report addresses ongoing topics such as NIH G-accounts reconciliation and reviews activities related to research ethics—such as nominations for the DHHS Human Fetal Tissue Research Ethics Advisory Board, clinical trial reporting improvements, and responses to federal rulemaking on unmanned aircraft and regulatory science transparency. Research security and intellectual property updates include developments in DOD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), the transition of NIST iEdison and Bayh-Dole regulation reforms, and guidance on data and publication access from federal research. The administration of grants and contracts is also discussed, highlighting new NSF and NIH biographical and support documentation requirements, efforts to foster safe and inclusive research environments, and NASA’s finalization of harassment reporting terms. The report closes with acknowledgments of committee members who drove these initiatives, reflecting COGR’s ongoing engagement in shaping responsible, compliant, and effective research administration practices within academia.
