The document provides a detailed account of the Committee Reports and Updates from the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) meeting held in Washington, DC, on February 22, 2018. Key discussions included the ongoing search for a new COGR president, with a goal to announce the selection by October 2018, and updates on initiatives such as the Nonprofit Funder-Research Institution Partnership Workshop aimed at strengthening collaborations between nonprofit funders and research institutions. The Research Compliance and Administration Committee addressed streamlining NIH prior approvals for clinical trial fixed price subawards, emphasizing the adoption of capitation models to reduce administrative burden. Additionally, subrecipient monitoring requirements, research quality surveys, updates on responsible conduct of research (RCR) including sexual harassment policies, and effective faculty communication strategies were highlighted.
Regulatory discussions encompassed compliance with the forthcoming EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including its broad implications for data transfer, consent, and institutional policy development. Costing policy updates included federal audit trends, ongoing issues with payment management and subrecipient monitoring, and continued clarification regarding F&A cost practices. The Contracts and Intellectual Property Committee reported on the NIST Return on Investment initiative, concerns about potential changes to the Bayh-Dole Act, and emerging contractual and legislative issues impacting intellectual property management in university research. Overall, the meeting emphasized COGR’s active engagement with federal agencies, alignment with shifting regulatory landscapes, and its efforts to support research institutions in policy compliance, financial stewardship, and research excellence.
