The June 2022 Update from COGR (Council on Governmental Relations) provides a broad overview of recent developments impacting the research administration community, with particular attention to regulatory compliance, research security, export controls, intellectual property, costing and financial regulations, and research ethics. Notable announcements include the imminent launch of the COGR Membership Portal to enhance member services and engagement. The report details evolving federal mandates regarding research security, such as the implementation of the Presidential Memorandum NSPM-33, new and updated disclosure requirements from NIH, DOE, and NSF, and pending legislation—USICA/COMPETES—which may narrow in scope but retains significant implications for university compliance and international collaborations. The update highlights the burden and costs associated with new security requirements, emphasizing the importance of federal support for institutional compliance, particularly for smaller or mid-sized research entities.
The document also addresses developments in research ethics, human subjects research, and financial compliance, such as the updated Federal Compliance Supplement, the retirement of certain HHS reporting forms, and new requirements tied to data management and sharing. Changes in export control regulations, particularly related to Russian sanctions and U.S. agency coordination, and new White House guidance on research with Russia, are presented as key considerations for universities managing international engagements. Furthermore, the update summarizes a recent HHS OIG report highlighting ongoing challenges in grantee oversight of foreign financial interests, recommending further institutional training and policy enhancements. Ongoing efforts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion, address harassment, and re-examine faculty entrepreneurial activities are also outlined, underscoring COGR’s commitment to supporting institutional capacity, regulatory compliance, and the ethical conduct of research. Overall, this update demonstrates the complexity and evolving nature of the compliance landscape in the U.S. research enterprise, the need for adaptable institutional infrastructure, and robust federal-institutional partnerships.
