The February 2016 COGR Update provides an extensive overview of recent and emerging issues impacting the administration of federally funded research at U.S. universities. Key topics include transitions and compliance challenges associated with NIH's new 120-day grant closeout policy, including the complex reconciliation requirements between financial reporting systems, and evolving policies such as NIH's salary cap adjustments. The document details COGR’s advocacy with OMB to address perceived deficiencies in federal procurement standards, to revise methodologies affecting research indirect cost rates, and to improve the implementation of Uniform Guidance.
Further highlighted are updates on regulations and policy notices from agencies including NIH, NSF, CDC, and DoD, covering issues from graduate student ACA compliance, cybersecurity requirements, and evolving conflict of interest policies to agency reporting and audit activities. There is also discussion of sector-wide issues such as declining federal funding for university research per new NSF data, legal considerations around Bayh-Dole Act “march-in” rights related to drug pricing, and pending regulatory changes affecting laboratory safety, human research protections, and labor laws. The update emphasizes COGR’s ongoing efforts to represent member interests through direct engagement with federal stakeholders, facilitating information sharing, tracking regulatory trends, and addressing the increasing administrative burdens facing research institutions.
