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.
On September 27, 2023, COGR hosted a virtual, interactive workshop to provide an opportunity for members to share information on institutional efforts to comply with research security requirements and how to assess associated costs and institutional burden. The workshop was led by COGR directors and members of COGR’s four committees.
NSTC is expected to finalize its model disclosure forms and research security program standards this autumn, and upon their issuance, COGR will initiate Phase II of its research security cost survey. This workshop provided a forum for institutions to discuss their compliance strategies, learn about the methodology of the Phase II survey, and consider the resources they will need to implement research security programs and additional disclosure requirements. The workshop begins with an overview of current requirements and the Phase II survey, and then participants joined break-out rooms to discuss how their institutions are addressing certification mandates, training requirements, security program structures and associated costs and administrative burden.
Institutions that participated in the Workshop will be highly encouraged to complete the Phase II Survey. Phase II will be initiated later this autumn, and COGR will follow-up with workshop participants at the time to determine if they will participate.
Questions and topics of interest may be sent in advance of the session to Kristin West at kwest@cogr.edu.
Workshop materials include:
Session recording (log in required)
Institutional Resources on Research Security (log in required)
