The workshop, organized by the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) and held on September 27, 2023, focused on compliance with evolving research security requirements, particularly in response to federal directives such as NSPM-33 and the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act. Key topics included the current regulatory landscape, developments still pending—such as final disclosure forms and research security training modules—and practical tools available to research institutions. The workshop underscored major areas where compliance is expected to impose significant administrative and financial burdens, including disclosures, international travel tracking, cybersecurity, training, and program monitoring.
An important component of the workshop was COGR’s ongoing efforts to collect and analyze data on the costs associated with research security compliance. This involves a structured survey technique to gauge the impact of various requirements across institutional units, translating administrative burden into quantifiable costs. The University of Pittsburgh’s case study illustrated the complexity and scaling of such compliance, with substantial investments required in personnel, systems, and policy development—particularly for foreign travel, cybersecurity, training, and export controls. Through breakout discussions and polling, the workshop revealed varying stages of institutional preparedness and highlighted resource-intensive areas. The ultimate aim is to equip institutions with actionable strategies while providing policymakers with robust data to inform future regulation and funding decisions.
