The March 2022 Update from the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) provides an extensive overview of recent developments in federal research policy, compliance, and administration impacting research institutions. Key topics addressed include modifications to Department of Energy (DOE) policy on domestic manufacturing requirements for federally funded inventions, renewed petitions for federal intervention in drug pricing under the Bayh-Dole Act, and the Department of Justice’s shift from the “China Initiative” to a broader framework for addressing nation-state threats. The report discusses new and evolving export controls in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as significant changes to the Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, tightening security requirements for research contracts. Additional legislative updates pertain to cybersecurity reporting, with recent bills focusing on critical infrastructure and excluding most federal contractors.
The update also details the implementation of the National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33), outlining new disclosure standards, research security program requirements, and stakeholder engagement opportunities. It covers the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) efforts to standardize grant disclosure forms and the DOE’s interim financial conflict of interest policy for awardees. Further topics include ongoing evaluations of institutional cost burdens associated with compliance, impending retirement of certain federal financial reporting requirements, and resolutions of federal audit findings. The document addresses operational issues linked to COVID-19, such as vaccine mandates and remote work implications, alongside NIH’s initiatives to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEIA) in the scientific workforce and reforms to data management and sharing policies. The report concludes with summaries of committee activities and member contributions, reflecting COGR’s ongoing engagement with federal agencies to ensure effective policy implementation and advocacy for the research community.
