The document provides an overview of key topics and emerging issues on the agenda of the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), with particular focus on research security and intellectual property, contracts and grants administration, research ethics and compliance, and costing and financial compliance. It details recent developments such as the end of the Department of Justice's China Initiative, ongoing legislative negotiations regarding foreign influence and research security in the COMPETES and USICA bills, and new export controls related to Russia and cybersecurity regulations. The research security section also outlines challenges to the Bayh-Dole Act and implications of potential changes for universities’ commercialization activities, as well as updates to the Department of Energy's manufacturing requirements for federally funded inventions.
The document further addresses operational challenges for federally funded research institutions, noting the impact of COVID-19 vaccine mandates, the uncertainty caused by continuing budget resolutions, and evolving policies at major funding agencies like NIH and NSF. Updates include adjustments to the federal government's Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) instruction requirements, a new interim conflict of interest policy from the Department of Energy, and attention to clinical trial fraud prosecution by the Department of Justice. Costing and financial compliance issues focus on the ongoing scrutiny of indirect costs (Facilities & Administrative, or F&A), audit practices, and the need for continued collaboration between research institutions and federal oversight bodies. The collective agenda emphasizes adapting to a dynamic policy environment, ensuring compliance, and proactively engaging with regulatory and legislative changes impacting the research enterprise.
