COGR has recently updated its "Framework for Navigation the 2025 Administration Transition" to include a Summary of Emerging Federal Terms and Conditions.
Other Proposal & Award Issues
Covers additional and emerging issues related to policies, regulations, and practices for the administration of federal research proposals and awards.
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COGR Joins AAMC-Led Amicus Brief Opposing Federal Stay in NIH Grant Restoration Cases
This document is an amicus curiae brief submitted by major academic and research organizations in support of respondents opposing the U.S. government’s blanket...
COGR Advocates for Full Reinstatement of NIH Grants in Joint Association Letter to Director, Dr. Bhattacharya
The letter, signed by leading higher education associations representing the majority of U.S. biomedical research institutions, urges NIH Director Dr. Jay...
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Krystal Toups
Director, Contracts & Grants Administration
All Other Proposal & Award Issues Articles
Updated: Considerations for a Federal Government Shutdown
COGR has prepared a list of items research institutions should consider in the event of a federal government shutdown to manage federally sponsored projects. This is not official guidance but rather an accumulation of past shutdown experiences with information and guidance that has been received to date. This list will be updated as more information is available.
COGR Advocates for Full Reinstatement of NIH Grants in Joint Association Letter to Director, Dr. Bhattacharya
The letter, signed by leading higher education associations representing the majority of U.S. biomedical research institutions, urges NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to reinstate all NIH grants terminated under directives recently found unlawful by a federal court. While some grants are being reinstated due to court orders, the associations highlight that many others, terminated under the same d
Fact Sheet: Defend the Spend
Executive Order 14222, intended to enhance efficiency and transparency and reduce costs in federally funded research, has instead imposed significant new administrative burdens and redundancies, notably through the “Defend the Spend” initiative. These new requirements force recipients to repeatedly justify pre-approved expenses, leading to payment delays, increased costs, and wasted effort, while
CGA Virtual Open House: Slide Presentation
The document details the agenda and structure of the upcoming Contracts & Grants Administration (CGA) Virtual Open House hosted by the Council on Governmental Relations (COGR) on May 21, 2025. Moderated by Lisa Mosley, Executive Director of Sponsored Projects at Yale, and Krystal Toups, Director for CGA at COGR, the event is designed as an interactive platform where participants can engage wit
COGR Joins AAU and APLU Presidents in Submitting Joint Letter to Government Officials in Response to Unnecessary Disruptions to Federally Supported Research
The letter from the leaders of the AAU, APLU, and COGR expresses deep concern about recent disruptions to federally funded research resulting from executive actions and agency procedures, including interrupted payments, unclear directives relating to DEI compliance, abrupt project terminations, and a new NIH cap on facilities and administrative cost reimbursement. The authors urge federal official
COGR Submits Response to Health and Human Services Adoption of the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards
The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), representing over 220 U.S. research universities and institutes, submitted formal comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the department’s interim final rule implementing the updated Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Guidance. COGR acknowledged the complexity of HHS’s dual-phased implementation—initial a
Slides: Going AI: Cutting-Edge Strategies for Enhancing Research Administration Efficiency through Practical Application of Artificial Intelligence
The document provides a detailed overview of a September 16, 2024, webinar organized by COGR, focusing on innovative strategies for enhancing research administration efficiency through artificial intelligence (AI). The event featured a range of speakers from prominent institutions discussing the practical application of AI tools, including robotic process automation (RPA), LLM-based workflows, and
COGR Responds to NIH Proposed Collection of Post-Award Reporting Requirements
COGR submitted a formal response to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) regarding proposed post-award reporting requirements for Data Management and Sharing Plans within the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR). COGR’s comments primarily focus on section C.5.c of the RPPR, offering targeted suggestions to enhance the clarity, utility, and efficiency of the data collection process. Speci
Great Minds: Brainstorming & Benchmarking with COGR Member Institutions: June 2024
The document outlines the agenda and discussion themes for the "Great Minds: Brainstorming & Benchmarking" session held COGR on June 6, 2024. Moderated by key COGR directors and committee chairs from prominent research institutions, the session provides a collaborative platform for member institutions to discuss compliance, policy implementation, and operational challenges related to research
OMB Advance Questions: June 2024 Meeting
The document presents a series of detailed, advance questions directed at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) concerning recent changes and updates to federal grant administration guidance, particularly with respect to cost principles, indirect costs, and award management. The queries reflect both constructive feedback and concerns from institutional stakeholders about the practical implicat
