The June 2012 COGR Meeting Report provides a detailed overview of key issues, developments, and ongoing challenges affecting the relationship between U.S. research universities and the federal government, particularly in areas such as research funding, compliance, policy reforms, and intellectual property. Among the notable topics discussed are the release of the National Research Council's (NRC) report on research universities, which underscores the need for stronger partnerships among universities, government, and industry, as well as calls for improved university productivity, full federal funding of research, and reduced regulatory burdens. The report documents extensive conversations regarding grants reform, including the potential consolidation of federal grant cost circulars, and explores the varied and substantial administrative and compliance burdens borne by research institutions in meeting different, and sometimes inconsistent, federal agency requirements.
In addition to these administrative and policy matters, the report highlights contemporary developments such as the activities of the newly established NIH National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), concerns surrounding the federal oversight of dual use research of concern (DURC), and the practicalities of implementing new federal regulations on financial conflicts of interest. The meeting further addresses innovations in technology transfer, patent reform issues following the America Invents Act, and export control regulations, with a keen focus on the implications for universities. Panel sessions and committee reports further detail case studies, regulatory changes, audit updates, and challenges in grant and contract administration, reflecting the dynamic and complex nature of the research administration landscape. Throughout, COGR advocates for minimizing unintended administrative burdens while ensuring a supportive environment for academic research and innovation.
