Office of Research Compliance - Office of Research

Compliance

Overview

As university employees, faculty and staff researchers are expected to comply with university policies and state and federal regulations regarding the safe, objective and ethical conduct of research. Whether the research is privately sponsored or publicly funded, it is critical that university research be conducted in an objective manner free from outside influences. Some outside professional and personal activities, such as consulting, owning an equity interest in a business, or holding an executive, managerial or advisory position in a for-profit venture, can create actual or perceived conflicts of interest or commitment. These activities are prohibited unless they are disclosed to the appropriate reviewing body and subsequently approved.

Research Activity Approval

To protect research subjects and the campus community and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, certain research activities also require advance approval. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) must review and approve all research protocols involving human subjects. Where the research involves the derivation or use of stem cells, approval by the Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO) Committee is required. Similarly, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) must review and approve all research involving animals. If the research involves the use of biological agents or harmful chemical agents, researchers must determine whether review by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) or Chemical and Laboratory Safety Committee (CLSC) is necessary. Additionally, if the research requires travel abroad or shipping research materials outside of the United States, the researcher should consult with the Office of Research Compliance unit to determine whether an export license is required.

Compliance resources include: