Who are COGR Members?
COGR member institutions include over 230 leading research institutions across the United States, encompassing:
- Public and private research universities
- Academic medical centers
- Independent research institutes
The membership includes research institutions from nearly every U.S. state and the District of Columbia with a wide range of annual federal research expenditures, diverse ranges of research activities and focus, and include HBCU’s, HSIs, and other MSIs. COGR member institutions are represented by senior administrators in research, finance, compliance, technology transfer, legal, and government relations.
Our member institutions are deeply engaged in federally funded research and play a critical role in shaping national research policy.
Helpful Links:
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Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for membership, an institution must:
- Be a U.S.-based research university, affiliated medical center, or independent research institute
- A non-profit entity
- Have at least $15 million in federally sponsored research expenditures annually as reported on the NSF HERD (or equivalent)
- Be a doctoral degree granting institution or have a formal affiliation with a COGR member institution that is
- Not be a professional association or commercial entity
COGR membership is institution based. There are no university system-wide memberships. Institutions that report separately on the NSF HERD and meet the membership criteria are required to hold their own membership to participate in COGR.
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How to Apply
- Initial Inquiry: Institutions interested in membership should contact memberservices@cogr.edu to express interest and ask any questions about the application process.
- Submission: Applications must include a letter on institutional letterhead expressing interest in becoming a COGR member and signed by the institution’s Vice President or Associate Vice President for Research (or equivalent). The application should include the institution’s annual federal research expenditures (as reported on the most recent NSF HERD survey or equivalent) and verify they are a doctoral degree granting institution. Applications should be sent directly to memberservices@cogr.edu and addressed to Toni Russo, Chief Operating Officer.
- Endorsement (if applicable): Institutions that do not have a doctoral degree granting program but are formally affiliated with a COGR member institution that does must include a letter of support from the COGR member institution. There is no difference in Membership Benefits between a regular member and affiliate member.
- Review: The COGR Board of Directors reviews all applications to ensure alignment with membership criteria and COGR’s mission.
- Approval: Upon approval by the Board, the institution is formally accepted into the membership and enjoys all benefits of COGR membership.
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Institutional Participation
Each member institution appoints a Primary Representative, who:
- Serves as the main point of contact with COGR, including ensuring the annual dues invoice is paid.
- Cast their institutional vote on matters requiring a vote of the membership.
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Get Engaged
- COGR Portal Access: All staff at COGR member institutions are eligible and encouraged to sign up for access to the COGR Portal. This will provide access to COGR event registration, member only materials, the COGR Membership Directory, a job board (member institutions may submit a relevant job posting here), a video library, and more. Signing up for the COGR Portal also ensures you are subscribed to COGR’s listserv by which important notifications, updates, publications, and relevant news articles are shared each week.
- Volunteer Survey: Interested in engaging with COGR? Want to volunteer for a Committee or a working group? Let us know by filling out COGR’s Volunteer survey. We review this list each spring when filling open committee positions, when forming working groups on various specific topics, or to reach out on a specific issue.
- Attend COGR Events. COGR hosts three membership meetings per year, two in person and one virtual. In-person meetings are held each June and October in Washington D.C. Virtual meetings are held each February online via Zoom. In addition, COGR hosts complimentary members only virtual webinars throughout the year on relevant topics and issues.
- Contact COGR Staff: Have a question? Reach out anytime to memberservices@cogr.edu.
