The document details the agenda and key discussion points from the upcoming Costing and Financial Compliance (CFC) Committee Open House, scheduled for August 19, 2025, under the auspices of COGR. Moderated by Jeremy Forsberg and Cindy Hope, the session will focus on current challenges and evolving requirements in financial compliance for research administration, particularly in light of recent federal actions. Key agenda items include guidance for reimbursement of expenses under active grants, strategies for navigating terminations and suspensions, and practical approaches for direct charging within the emerging Financial Accountability in Research (FAIR) model. The event prioritizes participant engagement via Q&A, polling about attendees’ experience levels and familiarity with COGR, and emphasizes open communication.
Significant recent policy developments are addressed, notably the August 2025 Executive Order aiming to heighten federal oversight of grantmaking, which introduces stricter requirements for justifying expense drawdowns and seeks to limit the use of discretionary funds for indirect costs. The order encourages preference for institutions with lower indirect cost rates and mandates potential revisions to uniform federal guidance. The session covers COGR's response to these changes, including the collaborative efforts of the Joint Associations Group (JAG) to defend indirect cost reimbursement and the exploration of alternative cost allocation strategies such as Essential Research Performance Support (ERPS). Attendees are invited to engage further with COGR through committee service, working groups, and targeted volunteering, highlighting the organization’s commitment to advocacy and practical solutions in research financial management.
