The document from the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), dated August 24, 2017, presents a comprehensive set of recommendations aimed at reforming non-Health and Human Services (non-HHS) research regulations to reduce administrative burdens and streamline compliance requirements for federally funded research. It urges the consolidation of regulatory oversight—currently fragmented across multiple federal agencies and departments—into a single coordinated entity with unified regulations and reporting standards governing issues such as research misconduct, conflicts of interest, export controls, data sharing, and health and safety compliance. COGR also emphasizes the necessity for the swift establishment and operationalization of the Research Policy Board, as mandated by the 21st Century Cures Act, to regularly review and advise on research regulations, ensuring they are optimized for efficiency and responsiveness to stakeholder feedback.
Additional recommendations include enhancing the transparency and inclusiveness of the rule-making process, minimizing duplicative or unnecessary subrecipient monitoring for entities already subject to federal audits, and establishing mechanisms to routinely review and revise policies that create compliance challenges. The document advocates for pilot testing new policies, developing unified platforms and processes for grant management, and sunsetting outdated regulations unless their continued value is demonstrably justified. It calls for the elimination of unnecessarily burdensome or redundant requirements—such as repetitive financial reporting, effort certification, and invention disclosures—and seeks harmonization of federal terms and reporting standards. The overall goal is to foster an environment where regulatory compliance supports rather than impedes the efficacy and innovation of federally funded research, with a focus on accountability, transparency, and the responsible stewardship of public resources.
