The document is a detailed report from the June 2018 meeting of the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), covering a wide array of topics related to research administration, compliance, costing policies, contracts, intellectual property, and regulatory reform in the academic and research sectors. Key updates include the release of new federal guidance raising the micropurchase threshold (MPT) for procurement under federal awards to $10,000 and the simplified acquisition threshold to $250,000, along with an outlined approval process for institutions seeking higher thresholds. Issues around the 2018 Compliance Supplement, payment and reimbursement under 2 CFR 200.305, financial reporting, and NIH salary cap increases for 2018 are also addressed, alongside broader efforts to ensure policy clarity and consistent audit practices. The report emphasizes ongoing dialogue with oversight bodies regarding ambiguous or burdensome compliance requirements and the need for timely guidance as regulations evolve.
In the realm of research compliance and administration, the report details federal and agency initiatives for streamlining processes, enhancing transparency, and addressing security concerns such as cybersecurity threats and foreign influence in research. Discussions include responses to the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed rule on regulatory science transparency, updates on the implementation of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and changes to federal human and animal research policies, including delays to the revised Common Rule and developments in NIH clinical trial requirements. Engagements with the FBI, OMB, NSF, and NIST focus on balancing national security, scientific openness, and regulatory burden reduction, as well as fostering constructive partnerships between federal agencies, research institutions, and associations. The report also highlights ongoing efforts regarding export controls, technology transfer, and the improvement of federal-university-industry collaboration frameworks, underscoring the need for continued advocacy, clarity in regulation, and proactive institutional adaptation to policy changes within the evolving research landscape.
