The document provides a comprehensive overview of federal research policy updates, grant administration changes, and strategic initiatives discussed during the June 2022 Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) meeting, featuring representatives from the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Office of Naval Research (ONR), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The NSF update, given by Jean Feldman, emphasized proposed revisions to the Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG NSF 23-1), including standardized approaches for biographical sketches and current/pending support requirements—aligned with NSPM-33 guidance—and greater adoption of electronic submission platforms such as SciENcv and Research.gov. The new PAPPG also introduces requirements for plans promoting safe and inclusive research environments. The NIH update, led by Michelle Bulls, addressed fiscal policy and legislative mandates, notably Section 239, mandating institutions promptly report cases where NIH-funded principal investigators or key personnel are removed due to harassment. NIH policy also now accommodates enhanced data sharing, reporting on childcare costs, and updated disclosure tables that clarify required information at various grant stages, as well as ongoing collaborative efforts with NSF to harmonize disclosure rules and systems.
The ONR presented organizational and operational adjustments prompted by the pandemic, the ongoing development of its Tech Bridges innovation network to facilitate cross-sector collaboration, and future plans emphasizing non-traditional authorities, safeguarding research integrity, and streamlining digital grant administration. OMB’s segment highlighted the historic expansion in federal grant funding driven by major legislative actions such as the American Rescue Plan Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and detailed new compliance standards including “Buy America” preferences and stewardship requirements. It also noted significant shifts in federal grant infrastructure, including the transition to a new Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and digital modernization (e.g., the migration of the iEdison invention reporting system to NIST). Across agencies, there is a continued focus on aligning disclosure, reporting, and compliance processes to ensure transparency, accountability, and robust stewardship of federal research funding.
