Policy Perspective
COGR Submits Joint Association Letter to OLAW on NOT-OD-21-161 RFI
The document is a formal submission of comments from three leading organizations—the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), and the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR)—in response to an NIH Request for Information (RFI) regarding the clarification of reporting requirements for departures from the Guide for the Care and Use of
COGR Signs On to Joint Association Letter to WH & CDC on Upcoming Changes to US Travel Policy for International Travelers and Vaccination Requirements
The letter, dated October 14, 2021, and addressed to Jeffrey Zients and Dr. Rochelle Walensky, is a collective request from numerous higher education associations concerning the treatment of international students and scholars during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The signatories express gratitude for previous flexibility shown by U.S. authorities, especially through the National Interest Exemptio
The Bayh-Dole Act: A Guide to the Law and Implementing Regulations (October 2021 Update)
Originally published in 1999, and updated October 2021:
The Bayh-Dole Act A GUIDE TO THE LAW AND IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS
The Bayh-Dole Act, enacted in 1980 and subsequently amended, established a uniform federal policy allowing universities and small businesses to retain ownership of inventions developed through federally funded research, thereby facilitating technology transfer to the private sector and fostering public benefit. This legal framework, implemented through detailed regulations and compliance requireme
Tech Transfer Tutorial V3
This document provides a detailed overview of technology transfer practices in U.S. colleges and universities, emphasizing the role of research institutions in advancing economic development through the formal commercialization of intellectual property. It explains the foundational legal, policy, and operational frameworks—particularly the Bayh-Dole Act—that enable universities to patent and licen
COGR Joins Multi Association Letter to OSTP on NSPM-33 Implementation
The letter, authored by leading higher education associations, addresses Dr. Eric Lander, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), following a federal roundtable on implementing National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33). The associations express support for safeguarding federally funded research while upholding the critical openness of the U.S. research ecosyste
Principles for Evaluating Conflict of Commitment Concerns in Academic Research (Update)
Updated September 22, 2021This paper examines the issue of conflict of commitment in the context of concerns regarding inappropriate foreign influence, promoting transparency, and avoiding conflicts.
COGR Submits Comments to OMB on 2 CFR 200 Subpart F - Audit Requirements Appendix XI - Compliance Supplement 2021
The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), representing over 190 member institutions, submitted comments to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) regarding the 2021 Compliance Supplement for 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart F. The correspondence, addressed to Mr. Gilbert Tran, thanks OMB for its efforts and highlights several concerns centered on audit requirements for federal grants, particularly i
COGR Submits Joint Comments with AUTM and Bayh-Dole Coalition to DOE on Exceptional Circumstances Determination
The letter addresses concerns from the Bayh-Dole Coalition and allied organizations regarding the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) recent “determination of exceptional circumstances” (DEC), which aims to promote domestic development of DOE-funded inventions. While the coalition appreciates the DOE's efforts to prevent the off-shoring of strategically important technologies, it raises signifi
COGR’s Releases Paper on “Foreign Influence—Practical Considerations in Developing an Institutional Response”
This document outlines the increasing federal scrutiny on inappropriate foreign influence in U.S. academic research and offers practical considerations for institutions to develop effective research security responses. Triggered by concerns such as undisclosed foreign funding, participation in foreign government talent programs, and intellectual property theft—especially with a focus on China—U.S.
