The document summarizes a COGR (Council on Governmental Relations) session titled "Navigating the Storm: Institutional Perspectives on a Changing Federal Landscape," held on June 6, 2025. The agenda was structured to facilitate collaborative discussions among institutional representatives on the evolving challenges in the federal research landscape, including cybersecurity compliance, research ethics, cost reimbursement, funding stability, and federal partnership management. Participants engaged in table-based discussions guided by targeted prompts and were encouraged to share practical experiences, strategies, and challenges across several key thematic areas.
Major discussion topics included the implementation and impact of federal cybersecurity standards (NIST 800-171, CMMC), compliance management amid increasing regulatory scrutiny and constrained resources, adaptation to changes in F&A cost reimbursement policies, and strategies to address funding gaps and sustain research infrastructure. Further, the session explored how institutions are coping with a rise in federal award terminations and shifts in agency priorities that redefine risk profiles for research universities. Participants examined both immediate operational responses—such as mitigating the impact of compliance on funding opportunities and administrative burdens—and longer-term strategic considerations, including diversification of funding sources, support for early-career researchers, maintaining research integrity, and actively advocating for the academic research enterprise. The session aimed to equip institutions with actionable insights and peer-informed perspectives to navigate current uncertainties and proactively strengthen resilience in the face of regulatory and funding volatility.
