Research Integrity and Compliance
About Research Integrity and Compliance
We uphold honesty, accountability and observance of ethical standards essential to building and maintaining public trust in research and its results. We provide information, training and internal controls to comply with policies, rules and regulations governing sponsored research at SFSU.
For questions about conflict of interest, responsible conduct of research and research security, contact Compliance by email at orspcomp@sfsu.edu.
Conflict of Interest
We are committed to ensuring that research is conducted with the highest levels of integrity, transparency and accountability. We require that interests, whether financial or personal, of anyone making substantive, measurable contributions to the development or execution of a research project do not compromise the design, conduct or reporting of the project. To uphold this standard, individuals involved in the project must complete the appropriate conflict of interest (COI) disclosure form and take any trainings required by the sponsor.
Disclosure Requirement
You must disclose, through a COI disclosure form, all financial interests — held by you, your spouse, domestic partner or dependent children — whether domestic or foreign, related to institutional responsibilities. Financial interest does not include salary paid by SFSU, income from mutual funds or retirement accounts in which you do not control investment decisions, or income from seminars or service on advisory committees.
Timing of Disclosure
- At the time of proposal submission: Before submitting a proposal for funding to external sponsors, disclose all financial interests related to the proposed research.
- Annually: A new COI disclosure form must be submitted at least once every 12 months.
- Within 30 days of discovery or as needed: Any new financial interest or potential COI must be disclosed within 30 days of its acquisition/discovery or as needed when and if required.
| Sponsor | Affected Individual | Disclosure Required | Training Required | Certificate Validation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Institutes of Health | Principal investigators, co-investigators, senior/key personnel and all individuals who contribute in a substantive and meaningful way to the development or execution of a project | Yes Complete in Grant Management System | Yes Sign up for the training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program | Valid for four years from the date of completion |
| National Science Foundation | Principal investigators, co-investigators, senior/key personnel and all individuals who contribute in a substantive and meaningful way to the development or execution of a project | Yes Complete in Grant Management System | No
| Not applicable |
| Other federal agencies | Principal investigators, co-investigators, senior/key personnel and all individuals who contribute in a substantive and meaningful way to the development or execution of a project | Yes Complete in Grant Management System | Check agency; required by some
| Not applicable |
| Other governmental agencies (state, city, local) | Principal investigators, co-investigators, senior/key personnel and all individuals who contribute in a substantive and meaningful way to the development or execution of a project | Yes Complete in Grant Management System | Check agency; required by some | Not applicable |
| Nongovernmental, for-profit and nonprofit organizations | Principal investigators | Yes Form 700-U | Yes CSU Avoiding Conflicts of Interest course | Valid for two years from the date of completion |
Responsible Conduct of Research
We are dedicated to creating a research environment that promotes integrity. All individuals involved in research activities must adhere to established professional norms and ethical principles throughout the entire research process to ensure the work is conducted honestly, accurately and with full accountability.
Responsible Conduct of Research Policy
RCR Required Training
Responsible conduct of research (RCR) education covers a wide range of topics, including research misconduct, data management, publication and authorship, mentor and mentee responsibilities, peer review, conflicts of interest and collaborative research. This training is typically required before or shortly after an individual begins work on a funded project and must be renewed periodically. Following is a common, inexhaustive, list of training required by federal sponsors.
| Sponsor | Affected Individual | Extra Requirement | Format | Completion Verification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Institutes of Health | Undergraduate students, graduate students, trainees, fellows, participants, scholars, postdoctoral researchers | Not applicable | A combination of online and in-person instruction (online instruction alone is not sufficient), totaling at least eight contact hours | Complete the RCR Training Certification of Completion and submit it to ORSP |
| National Science Foundation | Undergraduate students, graduate students, trainees, fellows, participants, scholars, postdoctoral researchers, principal investigators, co-investigators, senior/key personnel, faculty | Must include mentorship training | Sign up for the training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program
| No action required; ORSP has access to the training record |
| U.S. Department of Agriculture | Everyone involved in the project | Not applicable | Sign up for the training through the CITI Program | No action required; ORSP has access to the training record |
Research Security
With the enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 and National Security Presidential Memorandum 33, federal agencies are mandating research security training for individuals engaged in federally funded research projects. It is important to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and practices to safeguard work against theft, misuse or manipulation — particularly in areas involving sensitive technologies, intellectual property or national security.
Research Security Required Training
Sign up for research security training in the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program within the timeline specified by the sponsor.
| Sponsor | Project Type | Affected Individual | Completion Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Department of Energy | Research and development and existing awards | Individuals who contribute in a substantive and meaningful way to the development or execution of a project (e.g., principal investigator, co-investigator, senior/key personnel) | Within 12 months prior to application and, upon award, annually thereafter |
| National Institutes of Health | All projects | Individuals who contribute in a substantive and meaningful way to the development or execution of a project (e.g., principal investigator, co-investigator, senior/key personnel) | Within 12 months prior to application and, upon award, annually thereafter |
| National Science Foundation | All projects | Individuals who contribute in a substantive and meaningful way to the development or execution of a project (e.g., principal investigator, co-investigator, senior/key personnel) | Within 12 months prior to application and, upon award, annually thereafter |