The October 2022 COGR meeting featured comprehensive updates from its key committees—Costing and Financial Compliance (CFC), Contracts & Grants Administration (CGA), Research Security & Intellectual Property (RSIP), and Research Ethics & Compliance (REC). Each committee, chaired by representatives from prominent research universities, addressed ongoing and emerging issues impacting the academic research landscape. The CFC committee emphasized persistent challenges with Facilities & Administrative (F&A) and fringe rate negotiations, the growing administrative burden of compliance, and the need for timely resolution of NIH award closeouts and interactions with key federal partners. They also announced the forthcoming F&A Survey and highlighted the impacts of regulatory changes and fiscal oversight.
The CGA committee reported on the evolving requirements for federal reporting, data management, and NIH grant processes, with a particular focus on harmonizing application documentation in line with NSPM-33 requirements and preparing for new data sharing policies taking effect in 2023. RSIP highlighted updates to guidance on technology transfer, the implications of the CHIPS and Science Act for research security, export controls, and the development of frameworks for compliance in a competitive, globally open research environment. The REC committee discussed its collaborations with stakeholders on animal welfare oversight, responses to federal proposals for research misconduct regulations, and expanded considerations around data management for human subjects. REC activities also addressed institutional strategies to combat harassment, support work environment safety, and navigate changing requirements for public access to federally funded research. Overall, the meeting reflected the committees' proactive efforts to address timely compliance challenges, regulatory changes, and the evolving expectations for research integrity, security, and administration across the research enterprise.
