Animal Subjects

COGR expresses concerns to the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command's Animal Care and Use Review Office (ACURO) regarding a new policy that, effective January 1, 2026, limits ACURO protocol review to only Department of Defense (DOD) fully-funded animal research projects. While...

The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), in its Animal Research Statement, underscores the critical role that animal research has played in advancing medical knowledge and treatment for both humans and animals. The document notes that nearly every significant medical advancement over the past…

The September 2025 COGR Update provides an overview of recent federal developments affecting U.S. research institutions, including proposed regulatory changes, executive orders, litigation updates, and agency-specific policy shifts impacting research funding, compliance, security, and administration...

The July 2025 COGR Update offers a comprehensive review of recent policy, legal, and regulatory developments affecting research institutions, with primary focus on federal funding, research security, administrative burden, and the controversial 15% cap on indirect cost reimbursement. It details…

COGR, representing over 230 U.S. research universities and affiliated institutions, submitted detailed feedback to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) on streamlining federal research regulations to reduce administrative burden, enhance regulatory consistency, and foster…

COGR submitted a response to the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare’s (OLAW) Request for Information on Proposed Guidance to Assured Institutions concerning the care and use of cephalopods in research. While COGR supports the advancement of animal welfare and recognizes the evolving…

COGR responded to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare’s (OLAW) Request for Information regarding its proposed guidance disclaimer, expressing concern that the current wording incorrectly suggests OLAW can expand regulatory requirements beyond Congressional authority. COGR recommends that…

COGR submitted formal comments in response to the NIH’s Request for Information (RFI) regarding flexibilities for streamlining Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) review processes. COGR emphasizes the importance of maintaining animal welfare and research integrity while…

A coalition of 40 organizations from scientific, veterinary, and conservation fields has issued recommendations to address the critical shortage of long-tailed macaques—a species essential for medical research and health advancements—stemming from increased demand during the COVID-19 pandemic…

COGR submitted comments in response to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare’s (OLAW) Request for Information regarding clarification of animal activities exempt from Public Health Service (PHS) Policy requirements for Institutional Animal Care and Use…

COGR submitted a letter to the National Institutes of Health’s Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) regarding the proposed update to guidance on prompt reporting of noncompliance in animal research. COGR acknowledges the importance of clear and unambiguous reporting standards, which…

The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), representing over 200 research universities and affiliated institutions, submitted comments in response to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's (APHIS) advance notice of proposed rulemaking concerning wild and exotic animal handling,…

The document discusses the growing challenges and critical crossroads faced by the field of animal research in the United States, particularly as societal values increasingly prioritize animal welfare over scientific advancement. It highlights how regulatory pressures, legislative intervention, and…

The document is a formal comment letter submitted by the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), an association representing nearly 200 U.S. research universities and related institutions, to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) concerning a…

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has proposed a rule to amend Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations by introducing comprehensive standards for the care, handling, treatment, and transportation of birds not bred specifically for research. The rule, published in February…

The document is a formal submission of comments from three leading organizations—the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), and the National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR)—in response to an NIH Request for Information (RFI)…

Posted June 11, 2020 (Version 1.0)

Posted February 4, 2019

The document summarizes institutional responses to proposed streamlining measures for animal research oversight, particularly pertaining to Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC). Significant support was observed for proposals aiming to reduce administrative burdens, such as expanding…

The Appendix A of the COGR 2018 Animal Research Survey Report outlines a series of recommended actions aimed at reducing the administrative burden associated with institutional oversight of animal research. Key recommendations include eliminating annual protocol renewals and certain regulatory…

The 2018 Animal Research Survey Report by the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) assesses the administrative requirements imposed by research institutions on animal research, with a focus on efforts to reduce unnecessary institutional burden. COGR, representing 188 major research institutions…

The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), representing prominent research universities and affiliated institutions, presents comprehensive comments in response to proposed federal actions aimed at improving coordination and harmonization of laboratory animal welfare regulations. Drawing on…

NIH Initiative to Reduce Regulatory Burden (1999) Federal Demonstration Partnership Faculty Workload Survey Reports (2012) National Academies report Research Universities and the Future of America (2012) National Science Board report Reducing Investigators’ Administrative Workload for Federally...

The document constitutes a formal comment submitted by the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), and the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in response to a federal request for…

This document is a comprehensive report resulting from an April 2017 workshop organized by leading scientific and academic organizations (FASEB, AAMC, COGR, with assistance from NABR) to address the regulatory burdens associated with animal research. Recognizing the critical role animal research…

Posted November 14, 2017

The document critically examines the expanding regulatory and administrative burdens faced by U.S. academic research institutions engaged in federally funded research, particularly under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Despite a series…

The document provides a thorough overview of ongoing efforts and recommendations to alleviate regulatory and institutional burdens associated with animal research in the United States, highlighting concerns from academic institutions, federal agencies, and advisory bodies. Key initiatives include…

COGR and AAU submitted joint comments on the petition to develop specific ethologically appropriate standards for non-human primates in research.

The joint letter from the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) responds to a USDA request for public comment on a petition proposing amendments to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations. Specifically, the petition asks for the development of…

The joint letter from the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) responds to a USDA request for public comment on a petition proposing amendments to the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) regulations. Specifically, the petition asks for the development of…