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Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Policy

Responsible Conduct of Research Policy 

The University of Houston continually strives to maintain a research environment that promotes attention to the highest ethical standards for all sponsored and non-sponsored research. It is expected, therefore, that all researchers participate in ongoing education in all core areas that comprise a comprehensive responsible conduct of research curriculum.

RCR Requirements

Recipients of awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are required to comply with specific requirements to ensure appropriate training in the responsible conduct of research. Researchers applying for, and receiving, support from NSF, NIFA and the NIH will need to be familiar with these respective regulations, as well as provide documentation of appropriate training as required under the terms of the award.

Regardless of funding, however, these core ethical values are expected to be upheld in all research conducted at the University and research team education in all applicable areas is highly encouraged.

Noncompliance

Failure to comply with this policy within specified time frames shall constitute grounds for disciplinary action. Disciplinary action is based upon a reasonable investigation of the noncompliance and is consistent with the severity of the violation. A range of examples includes, but is not limited to, additional training/monitoring for minor violations up to limits being placed on the use of the awarded funds for the project supporting research team members who are not in compliance, and/or loss of privilege to apply for new grant funding until the required training has been brought into compliance.