Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Policy
Introduction
The importance of formal RCR education was first explicitly recognized in the 1989 Institute of Medicine Report, The Responsible Conduct of Research in the Health Sciences, and has since been endorsed by other groups and members of the research community, including both research administration professional organizations, the Society of Research Administrators International (SRA) and the National Council of Research University Administrators (NCURA). Regular seminars, webinars, publications, and workshops have been offered over the years stressing the necessary vigilance required to assure the responsible conduct of research (RCR).
The general assumption of ethical and responsible conduct of research in the academy as the norm has been frequently thwarted by headlines trumpeting misconduct, even at the most prestigious of institutions. Regulations relating to research protections have proliferated over the past decade in response to the burgeoning cases of misconduct.
Public funds support roughly one-third of all research and development in the US and half of all basic research[1]. The responsible and ethical conduct of research is vital for public trust in research on university campuses. Education in RCR is considered essential in preparing future scientists, engineers and educators. As a result of research trends and the need to assure a process for RCR for researchers, Section 7009 of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act (PL 110-69) requires that ‘‘each institution that applies for financial assistance from the [National Science] Foundation (NSF) for science and engineering research or education describe in its grant proposal a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers participating in the proposed research project.” (NSF 10-1 January 2010; AAG Section IV B).
Effective Jan. 4, 2010, any institution that receives National Science Foundation (NSF) funding must certify in its grant proposals that: “…it has a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers who will be supported by NSF to conduct research.” The institutional official must certify that the institution 1) has a plan for compliance with the Responsible Conduct of Research training requirement; and , 2) will track who has been trained.
The NSF published a revision to the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG) requiring that institutions must certify at the time of proposal submission that the institution has a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers who participate in NSF funded projects.
SUNY Fredonia Policy for the Responsible Conduct of Research
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is a widely accepted set of ethical and professional standards for conducting research. SUNY Fredonia is committed to maintaining the integrity fundamental to research activities through the responsible and ethical conduct of its faculty, staff, and students.
The State University of New York at Fredonia promotes excellence in research and supports scholars from all fields. The commitment to student learning, as articulated in both the SUNY Fredonia Mission Statement and the Vision Statement from The Fredonia Plan clearly stresses our dedication to the highest quality education for all students and scholars. To further our commitment, SUNY Fredonia shall implement an institutional plan for the Responsible Conduct of Research benefiting all students and graduate researchers on the campus and especially those supported by external funding.
Responsible Conduct in Research Training Plan
SUNY Fredonia will meet the requirements for the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RCR) by:
The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) is designated as the unit responsible for overseeing institutional compliance with the NSF Responsible Conduct of Research educational requirements. OSP is also responsible for:
- Monitoring training verification;
- Verifying that undergraduate students or graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers supported by NSF research or educational projects have received training in the responsible and ethical conduct of research;
[1] Steneck, Nicolas H., Introduction to the Responsible Conduct of Research, ORI, August 2007.