The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), representing major research universities, issued a detailed response to the National Academy of Sciences report on federal research regulations, largely expressing support for the committee’s recommendations aimed at streamlining and improving the regulatory environment for academic research. COGR endorses proposals for more uniform grant application procedures, expanded use of just-in-time submission of supplementary materials, and centralized repositories for compliance documents. They advocate for harmonized agency policies, especially in areas such as conflict of interest (COI) disclosures and human subjects protections, cautioning that premature implementation of new federal-wide COI policies could impose unnecessary burdens without demonstrated benefit.
COGR strongly opposes the creation of an “excused” research category for human subjects and a mandate for single IRB (Institutional Review Board) use across multi-site studies, citing concerns about efficiency, cost, local context, and institutional liability. In animal research, they call for reducing duplicative reporting and favor risk-based, rather than species-based, reviews. Regarding financial oversight, COGR supports clearer guidance and streamlined processes, including raising procurement micro-purchase thresholds and eliminating outdated requirements like the DS-2 cost accounting disclosure. They also back the establishment of a Research Policy Board—with robust university representation—to serve as a centralized forum for harmonizing regulations, as well as the appointment of a government official empowered to oversee and coordinate regulatory reform. Throughout, COGR emphasizes the importance of pilot-testing new regulations, regular effectiveness review, and reducing administrative burden, while reiterating support for high standards of research integrity and accountability already maintained by universities.
The National Academies Committee on Federal Research Regulations and Reporting Requirements released Part 2 of its report, Optimizing the Nation’s Investment in Academic Research; A New Regulatory Framework for the 21st Century on June 29. The full report is now available online. Appendix B of the report includes a table of recommendations.
