The February 2021 Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) Meeting Report provides an extensive overview of current issues impacting research institutions, particularly in relation to the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The report addresses ongoing activities and resources COGR offers to support institutions in managing pandemic-related challenges, emphasizing new legislation such as the American Rescue Plan and the distribution of Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF I, II, and III), which provide significant financial aid to higher education with an emphasis on both direct student grants and institutional uses. COGR continues to monitor compliance, reporting, and audit requirements related to these funds and actively advocates for further research relief, including support for the RISE Act.
In addition, the report covers evolving research security and intellectual property concerns, including compliance with Department of Energy (DOE) screening requirements for foreign nationals, new provisions in the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, and calls for harmonization of federal disclosure and security requirements. Other areas of focus include MITRE’s study of insider risks within higher education, NASEM’s efforts on research security, and COGR’s survey on fundamental research determinations in DoD contracts. The report also details challenges and updates in costing and financial compliance—such as facilities and administrative cost pressures, federal reporting requirements, and ongoing audits—while highlighting transparency, audit, and compliance guidance. In the field of research ethics, the publication of the Conflict of Commitment Principles Framework and efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion in research are discussed, alongside updates on federal policies related to human subjects and animal research compliance. Finally, the report addresses developments in contracts and grants administration, including updates to NIH’s Other Support requirements, data management policies, and responses to evolving federal agency guidance on issues like sexual harassment and system migrations, all supported by the active engagement of COGR committees and member institutions.
