The December 2019 COGR update provides a thorough overview of ongoing developments, regulatory changes, and upcoming initiatives pertinent to research administration and compliance in higher education and affiliated research institutions. Key topics include new and changing federal requirements around international engagements, Section 117 reporting on foreign gifts and contracts, and evolving expectations regarding disclosures of support and conflicts of interest, especially in NIH-funded research. The update details COGR's active response to rushed Department of Education proposals for expanded foreign gift reporting, concerns with the procedural timeline, and the release of guidance for member institutions. It also addresses the newly published JASON report on fundamental research security, emphasizing the continued importance of academic collaboration, ethical integrity, and transparency while acknowledging increased scrutiny of foreign influence, particularly from China.
Additional noteworthy matters include regulatory reforms in NIH subrecipient monitoring and financial reporting, public availability of NIH conflict of interest disclosures, and the formation of new advisory groups and initiatives focused on rigor in animal research. The document outlines updates on NIFA administrative challenges, changes to federal agency audit workplans, patent reporting improvements through the iEdison system, and ongoing advocacy related to the National Defense Authorization Act’s provisions regarding science and security. COGR urges continued institutional vigilance and feedback on multiple fronts, including F&A rate negotiations, drug pricing legislation, intellectual property rights under potential DOD policy changes, and compliance with new and existing federal regulations. Overall, the update underscores COGR’s collaborative efforts with member institutions and associations to influence federal policy, respond to regulatory changes, and provide resources and advocacy in support of the national research enterprise.
