The COGR February 2017 Update provides an extensive overview of recent developments affecting federally funded research compliance, administration, and regulatory matters for academic and research institutions. The document covers a wide range of topics, including updates on the Uniform Guidance’s Single Audit requirements, negotiation and implementation challenges regarding procurement standards—specifically around the Micro-Purchase Threshold, and the release of significant legislative provisions (such as the National Defense Authorization Act and American Innovation and Competitiveness Act) that have immediate impact on federal grant management. The report highlights the ongoing dialogue between COGR, federal agencies such as OMB, DOE, and NIH, and other stakeholders to clarify and improve federal policies. Issues such as delayed regulatory actions due to government-wide freezes, the impact of the "two-for-one" Executive Order on regulatory cost control, and the effect of recently signed laws aimed at burden reduction are given detailed consideration.
Additionally, the update addresses substantive regulatory and policy changes related to grants management, intellectual property, and compliance. It reviews new regulations and guidance on open licensing for Department of Education-funded deliverables, the status of proposed changes to the Bayh-Dole Act regulations, state universities’ assertion of sovereign immunity in patent disputes, increased scrutiny of drug pricing and federally funded patents, and evolving requirements for safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Important compliance topics including revised human subjects protections (“Common Rule”), changes in animal research oversight, and federal salary caps are discussed alongside practical challenges such as payroll certification audits, subrecipient monitoring, and the direct charging of administrative costs. The document closes with briefings on ongoing interagency efforts to harmonize and reform administrative requirements and audit practices, as well as data-sharing initiatives, reflecting COGR’s active engagement in shaping research policy and supporting its members through upcoming changes.
