The document outlines the agenda and key participants of an October 2013 Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) meeting focused on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) subaccounting and closeout policies. The session, held in Washington, D.C., aimed to guide institutions through the transition to new NIH financial requirements, emphasizing best practices and challenges experienced by several major research universities, including Michigan State University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St. Louis. Presenters from these institutions, alongside policy and payment management representatives from NIH and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), provided case studies, policy perspectives, and addressed attendee concerns, with a segment dedicated to financial administration issues arising from government shutdowns.
The agenda stressed the importance of adapting to the updated subaccounting policies, fostering a shared understanding of procedural changes and their practical implications. Attendees were encouraged to participate in discussions, share experiences, and ask questions about the transition and its impact on research administration. Additionally, time permitting, the meeting was poised to reflect on the recent federal government shutdown, examining its repercussions for academic research and institutional administration, and to distill lessons learned for future preparedness.
