The October 2018 Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) Meeting Report offers a detailed account of ongoing developments and concerns in research administration, compliance, and policy within the academic, nonprofit, and government research communities. Notable highlights include the upcoming release of the COGR F&A (Facilities and Administrative) White Paper, which aims to clarify and advocate for fair reimbursement practices, and ongoing efforts to strengthen partnerships between nonprofit funders and research institutions regarding project support costs. The report also addresses emerging issues such as the implications of blockchain technology and cloud computing for research administration, NIH’s legislative mandates, and shifting federal attitudes toward research costing.
Compliance remains a central focus, with updates on new requirements for sexual harassment reporting in academia, NIH’s stricter guidance on reporting suspected research misconduct, and anticipated revisions to data management and sharing policies. Regulatory reform topics include debates over the classification of basic science studies involving human participants, streamlined reporting and oversight for federally funded research, the expansion of genomic data sharing, and FDA’s proposed rules on informed consent waivers. Of particular concern is the growing scrutiny of foreign influence on U.S. research and the need to safeguard intellectual property, reflected in policy discussions, National Science Board appointments, and outreach from federal agencies and Congress. The report concludes with assessments of ongoing legislative interests such as drug pricing and intellectual property regulations, highlighting the need for continued advocacy and adaptation across the research enterprise to navigate evolving federal priorities and complex compliance landscapes.
