The June 2019 COGR Meeting Report provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments, initiatives, and challenges in the domain of research administration, compliance, and policy within higher education and research institutions. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the growing intersection of science and security, particularly regarding foreign influences—most notably, Chinese involvement—in U.S. academic research. Dr. James Mulvenon and a panel of federal intelligence and security experts outlined concerns around Confucius Institutes, student visas, research conduct, and intellectual property, highlighting tightened government scrutiny, new prohibitions, and evolving legislative and regulatory frameworks aimed at safeguarding research integrity. They underscored risks such as unsustainable financial dependencies, insufficient transparency, non-reciprocity in research openness, and possible loss of research integrity. The report detailed the implementation of new Department of Energy prohibitions on participation in foreign talent recruitment programs and summarized ongoing congressional and agency efforts, including Senate hearings and NIH and DOE policy updates, to balance openness in academic research with protecting national interests.
In parallel, updates were provided on a range of administrative and operational issues impacting research institutions. The costing policies segment addressed recent Department of Justice settlements, subrecipient monitoring audits, F&A rate negotiations, and challenges associated with HHS/NIH payment reconciliation, emphasizing the need for clarity and collaboration with federal agencies. Legislative developments pertinent to research funding and intellectual property, such as pending patent reform and the ramifications of the 2018 Farm Bill on research programs, were discussed. Sessions further explored regulatory barriers confronting innovative research, the reproducibility and replicability of scientific studies, changes to NSF and NIH reporting policies, and evolving expectations around compliance, such as sexual harassment policies and requirements for disclosure of current and pending support. Throughout the report, COGR reiterated its commitment to reducing administrative burden, supporting best practices, and fostering dialogue with key federal stakeholders, while encouraging member participation in a forthcoming survey to inform strategic direction and action items for the organization.
