The February 2023 COGR Update provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments and ongoing initiatives impacting the research administration community in the United States. Key announcements include the appointment of Matt Owens as the incoming President of COGR, ongoing registration for the virtual COGR meeting, upcoming board nominations, and plans for COGR’s 75th anniversary celebration in October 2023. The document highlights significant regulatory and policy updates such as the implementation of the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy, which introduces new administrative and cost burdens for institutions, particularly concerning budgeting and intellectual property implications. The Update also addresses federal regulatory revisions, including the Office of Management and Budget’s request for input on updating 2 CFR 200 (“Uniform Guidance”), with COGR encouraging both institutional and collective feedback.
Further, the report details evolving requirements in science and research security prompted by national legislation such as the CHIPS & Science Act and the National Defense Authorization Act, alongside updates to disclosure and cybersecurity standards. The challenges of compliance with new and impending regulations concerning research security, foreign engagements, and cybersecurity – including CMMC and CUI – are underscored, as are their financial and operational impacts, especially on smaller institutions.
In addition, COGR discusses developments in research ethics and compliance, covering biosecurity oversight, animal research, human subjects research, and changing agency policies on conflicts of interest. The Update also reviews issues in contracts and grants administration, such as NIH salary and stipend adjustments, proposed changes to grant review frameworks, and the transition to new NSF proposal systems. Costing and financial compliance topics include ongoing concerns with audit processes, indirect cost rate negotiations, and changing audit and federal compliance requirements. The document concludes with acknowledgments for committee members and leadership, recognizing their roles in providing expertise and guidance to member institutions amid a rapidly evolving federal research landscape.
