The June 2007 Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) Meeting report details significant developments in the oversight and administration of federally funded research within U.S. academic institutions. Key topics included the handling of institutional financial conflicts of interest, rising challenges and security concerns related to the use of animals in research, and the variability of federal agency interpretations of IT security requirements following Homeland Security directives. The report emphasized the uncertainty and financial implications of using tax-exempt bonds to construct research facilities benefiting from federal funding, noting ongoing efforts to seek clarification and regulatory amendments with the IRS. High-level updates, such as the addition of new COGR board members and institutional members, were also discussed.
The compliance and administration section explored ongoing issues in research misconduct policies and the necessity for institutional flexibility over prescriptive federal sample procedures. The report highlighted the potential impact of Homeland Security’s chemical facility standards on universities, the progress and implications of the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act’s reporting requirements, and strategies for managing dual-use research to prevent misuse of life sciences. Regulatory and policy developments in contracts and intellectual property were detailed, notably the progress of patent reform legislation, objections to proposed Patent and Trademark Office rules, and concerns regarding publication restrictions from federal statistical agencies. Additional important matters included Army reporting requirements for contractor manpower, the deemed export rule’s complexity, and persistent audit and compliance challenges in research costing, payroll, and effort reporting. The overall tone of the meeting underscored the need for continued advocacy, clarification, and engagement with federal agencies to ensure that regulatory requirements balance research integrity, institutional flexibility, and administrative efficiency.
