Policy Perspective
COGR Response to NSF RFI on CHIPS and Science Act, Section 10343
The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) submitted a detailed response to the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Request for Information concerning the incorporation of ethical, social, safety, and security considerations into the agency’s merit review process, as mandated by the CHIPS and Science Act, Section 10343. COGR emphasizes the importance of clear and consistent definitions of risk c
Costs of Federally Sponsored Research
Federally sponsored research incurs both direct costs, such as researcher and student salaries, project-specific supplies, equipment, and travel, and facilities and administrative (F&A) costs, which cover essential infrastructure and support services including security, compliance, maintenance, safety, utilities, and shared research resources. F&A costs, often referred to as indirect costs
Frequently Asked Questions about Facilities and Administrative (F&A) Costs of Federally Sponsored University Research
This document provides a comprehensive overview of Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs—often referred to as indirect costs—associated with federally sponsored university research in the United States. F&A costs represent essential expenditures required to create and maintain the infrastructure and support needed for academic research, such as laboratories, compliance efforts, and res
Breaking Down the Costs of Federal Research at Universities
The document provides a detailed analysis of the cost structure associated with federally sponsored research at universities, explaining both the direct and indirect (facilities and administrative, or F&A) costs that comprise research budgets. It highlights the longstanding and mutually beneficial partnership between the federal government and research universities, underscoring the wide-rangi
Comparing Foundation and Federal Government Research Support
This document provides a comparative analysis of private foundation and federal government support for biomedical research, with a particular focus on the treatment of facilities and administrative (F&A) or indirect costs. While private foundations contribute only about 6 percent of overall U.S. academic research and development funding, in contrast to the federal government’s 55 percent, thei
COGR Responds to USDOJ’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking—Provisions Pertaining to Preventing Access to U.S. Sensitive Personal Data and Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern or Covered Persons
COGR, representing over 220 U.S. research institutions, submitted comments on the Department of Justice’s proposed rule aimed at restricting access to U.S. sensitive personal and government-related data by countries of concern. COGR expresses concern that the rule’s lack of exemptions for non-federally funded, non-clinical research would severely hinder essential international public health and fo
COGR Submits Response to Interim Final Rule—“Implementation of Controls on Advanced Technologies Consistent with Controls Implemented by International Partners”
COGR submitted a formal response to the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security's interim final rule regarding the implementation of export controls on advanced technologies. COGR acknowledges the necessity of safeguarding sensitive technologies amid evolving global threats and supports efforts to align U.S. regulations with those of international partners, while also emphasizi
COGR Submits Response to Health and Human Services Adoption of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards
The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), representing over 220 U.S. research universities and institutes, submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the department’s interim final rule implementing the updated Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance. COGR acknowledged the complexity of HHS’s dual-phased implementation—initial a
The F&A Capstone : A Final Report on the 2023-2024 Survey
The F&A Capstone report presents a comprehensive analysis of the 2023-2024 Facilities and Administrative (F&A) survey, focusing on the distribution of research funding, cost recovery, and compliance burdens across U.S. institutions. The survey data, drawn from a representative sample of research universities and supported by NSF HERD data, highlights persistent disparities between large an
Uniform Guidance Update & COGR’s “Look” Series (5th Look): October 2024 Meeting
The referenced document outlines a comprehensive update on the Uniform Guidance revisions by COGR as part of its ongoing “Look” Series, culminating in a session held on October 24, 2024. Led by key COGR directors and supported by a diverse workgroup from prominent research institutions, the presentation reviews the progression of COGR’s analyses—starting from initial assessments and member feedbac
