Policy Perspective
The Administrative Burden of "Defend the Spend" - NCURA Magazine December 2025
The December 2025 NCURA Magazine article discusses the federal “Defend the Spend” initiative, which, through recent executive orders, imposes extensive new reporting and justification requirements on recipients of federal research funding. The authors argue that these mandates significantly increase administrative burden without improving oversight or efficiency, duplicating established risk-based
NIH’s Implementation of the U.S. Government Policy on Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential
The document outlines the implications and implementation procedures stemming from the newly issued NIH policy (NOT-OD-25-061) on oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (PEPP). Effective May 6, 2025, this policy consolidates and supersedes previous federal regulations, broadening the range of biological agents and experimental categories req
2023-2024 COGR Year In Review
The 2023-2024 "Year in Review" from the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) highlights the organization's sustained commitment to advocating for effective, efficient, and harmonized federal research policies and regulations on behalf of its now 220 member institutions. Celebrating its 75th anniversary, COGR recognized both its historical roots as an advisory body within NACUBO
COGR's 2022-2023 Year In Review
The 2022-2023 Year in Review for the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) highlights the association’s commitment to advocating on behalf of over 200 leading U.S. public and private research universities, academic medical centers, and research institutes. During the past year, COGR focused intensively on fostering a robust partnership between research institutions and the federal government, a
COGR, AAU, and AUTM Submit Joint Association Letter on COVID-19 Diagnostics and Therapeutics: Supply, Demand, and TRIPS Agreement Flexibilities
The letter, submitted jointly by the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Council on Government Relations (COGR), and AUTM, addresses the U.S. International Trade Commission in relation to Investigation No. 332-596, focusing on COVID-19 diagnostics, therapeutics, and the possible expansion of the TRIPS Agreement waiver. The associations, representing leading American research universiti
The Bayh-Dole Act: A Guide to the Law and Implementing Regulations (October 2021 Update)
Originally published in 1999, and updated October 2021:
F&A Cost Rates and Reimbursement Pressures Under COVID-19: Maintaining a Fair and Reliable System
The document, prepared by the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), examines the significant challenges and emerging considerations affecting Facilities and Administrative (F&A) cost rates and reimbursements for research institutions during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. It details how the pandemic has disrupted traditional processes for developing F&A cost rate proposals, especially
