This report summarizes the June 10-12, 2020, virtual meeting of the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), focusing extensively on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on research administration, policy, compliance, and funding in the U.S. Major discussions included updates on new and rescinded OMB memoranda (notably M-20-26), the expiration of previous flexibilities, and guidance from key federal agencies such as NIH, NSF, and FDA. The meeting emphasized the need for meticulous institutional documentation of cost-cutting measures and exhaustion of funding sources to justify the continued use of salary-charging allowances during the pandemic, along with the importance of adhering to evolving policies and federal expectations regarding financial compliance and reporting.
The report also addressed broader science and security concerns, including heightened scrutiny of foreign influence, new legislation and regulatory changes particularly related to China, Section 117 reporting requirements, and updates to visa and immigration policies affecting researchers. Additional topics included changes in compliance and audit procedures, updates in the conduct and oversight of clinical trials and animal research, revised NSF and NIH grant administration guidelines, and ongoing survey efforts to estimate the pandemic’s economic impact on research institutions. The document underscores COGR's active advocacy and resource development to support its members in navigating these unprecedented challenges, reflecting continued collaboration with federal agencies and research associations, and highlights the collective expertise and contributions of its committee members.
