COGR has written to Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), seeking clarification on recent NIH policy changes that have caused...
Proposals & Award Policies
Policies, practices, and requirements for the submission of proposals and the management of awards of federally funded research.
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COGR's Response to OSTP's RFI on Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise
COGR submitted responses to select questions posed in the White House OSTP's request for information on "Accelerating the American Scientific Enterprise." The...
The Administrative Burden of "Defend the Spend" - NCURA Magazine December 2025
The December 2025 NCURA Magazine article discusses the federal “Defend the Spend” initiative, which, through recent executive orders, imposes extensive new reporting...
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Krystal Toups
Director, Contracts & Grants Administration
All Proposals & Award Policies Articles
Uniform Guidance Revisions—Then, Now and When October 2025
A summary from COGR's October 2025 membership meeting of updates to the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) Compliance Supplement affecting research institutions’ management of federal awards, as well as potential issues in future F&A cost reimbursement models.
Update from COGR on Department of Energy Limitations on Reimbursement of Indirect Costs
The document outlines recent policy changes implemented by the Department of Energy (DOE) regarding the reimbursement of indirect costs under financial assistance awards. While the policy explicitly exempts Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs), it imposes significant limitations on indirect cost recovery for other recipient types, such as state and local governments (capped at 10% of total awar
Uniform Guidance Resources
A compilation of resources related to 2 CFR 200 "Uniform Guidance"
COGR, AAMC, AAU, and APLU Submit Joint Comments to NIH on Publication Cost Limits
The Association of American Medical Colleges, Association of American Universities, Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, and COGR submitted joint feedback to the NIH opposing proposed limitations on allowable publishing costs for NIH-funded research, arguing that such limits could impede effective dissemination, create inequities among institutions, and hinder early-career researcher
July 2025 Update
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’s advocacy—including legal actions and promotion of the FAIR Model—as well as significant federal a
COGR Initiates Contact with Newly Appointed NIH Director Regarding the Partnership Between NIH and Research Institutions and Requests Clarifications on NIH Policies
COGR has written to Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), seeking clarification on recent NIH policy changes that have caused confusion and uncertainty within the research community. COGR requests detailed guidance on issues such as research award terminations, appeals processes, funding disruptions, centralized peer review, no-cost extensions, program changes
COGR Submits Comments in Response to DOE Interim Final Rule (IFR), "Update and Relocation of the Department of Energy Technology Investment Agreement Regulations"
The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), representing over 225 research universities and affiliated institutions, submitted comments regarding the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) interim final rule updating regulations on Other Transaction (OT) agreements. COGR acknowledges DOE's efforts to expand the use of OT agreements but expresses significant concerns about the removal of provisio
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 NSF's Comment Request: NSF PAPPG (NSF 26-1)
The Council on Governmental Relations (COGR), representing over 220 U.S. research institutions, submitted detailed comments to the National Science Foundation (NSF) regarding proposed revisions to the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG 26-1). COGR commends NSF's history of collaborative policy development but expresses concern over certain ambiguities, new compliance
2025 Administration Transition and Resources
A compilation of resources related to the 2025 Administration Transition.
