The June 2015 COGR Meeting Report provides an extensive overview of recent developments, regulatory updates, and policy changes impacting research institutions, focusing significantly on federal compliance, costing policies, research administration, and intellectual property. Key highlights include leadership changes at NIH, specifically Dr. Sally Rockey’s departure, and a summary of significant audit findings from NSF and HHS, highlighting issues with salary charges, reporting inaccuracies, and research misconduct. A major emphasis is on the NIH’s initiative to enhance the rigor and reproducibility of research, introducing stricter application and review criteria for grant proposals. The report further addresses the substantial and growing burden of regulatory compliance on universities, noting compliance costs range from 3-11% of operating expenses across surveyed institutions and estimating a nationwide total of $27 billion.
The report also details the status and implementation challenges of new federal Uniform Guidance, particularly regarding procurement, compensation documentation, F&A rates, and the transition to NIH subaccounting and the 120-day grant closeout model. Intellectual property discussions focus on the implications of proposed harmonized export controls definitions, especially concerning fundamental research and publication rights, and review pending anti–patent troll legislation. The research compliance section addresses policy developments in dual use research of concern, animal research regulation, major legislative initiatives such as the America COMPETES and 21st Century Cures Acts, and implementation progress on the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA). Additional resources include updates on off-campus research center cost equity, the release of compliance supplements, and the launch of new NIH science policy communication platforms. Overall, the report reflects COGR’s active engagement with federal bodies to advocate for clarity, consistency, and efficiency regarding regulatory and policy matters influencing the higher education research community.
