The document outlines the agenda and key themes for the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) Virtual Membership Meeting scheduled for February 25-28, 2025. The event will feature opening remarks from Naomi Schrag, COGR Board Chair and Vice President at Columbia University, and Matt Owens, COGR President. A significant highlight is the keynote address by Dr. Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academy of Sciences, who will present on the rapidly changing state of science in America, emphasizing the ongoing dominance of U.S. science as evidenced by its preeminent share of Nobel Prizes, yet noting rising international competition—particularly from China in research and development expenditures.
The meeting will address several pressing issues for the U.S. research community. Priorities include strategies to navigate and potentially reduce the increasingly complex regulatory environment, with discussions around leveraging artificial intelligence to alleviate compliance burdens. Modernization of university-industry relationships is also highlighted, recognizing the shifting landscape in research funding (with increased industry participation) and the migration of top AI talent to the private sector. The document further stresses the importance of bolstering public support for science and reversing recent declines in trust and federal funding. Strategies suggested include targeted public communication campaigns, enhanced research ethics training, and recognition of trustworthy and reproducible research. The overall agenda reflects COGR's advocacy efforts aimed at supporting a robust research ecosystem through reduced red tape, improved partnerships, and cultivated public trust in science, all underpinned by collaborative planning among staff, board, and association members.
