Research Policies

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The CUNY Policy Regarding the Disposition of Allegations of Misconduct in Research defines research misconduct as: “Fabrication, Falsification, or Plagiarism in proposing or performing research, reviewing research, or in reporting research results.”

The Graduate Center’s training on RCR expands on this and includes:

• Fabrication and falsification of data
• Plagiarism
• Peer review
• Publication practices and responsible authorship
• Data acquisition, management, sharing, and ownership
• Mentoring
• Conflicts of interest
• Collaborative research
• Protection of human subjects
• Animal welfare
• Export control

Learn more about CUNY’s Policy on Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research

The National Science Foundation endorses training that “helps prepare the next generation of researchers, including the consideration of risks or other factors associated with student and postdoctoral researcher participation in research.”  The Graduate Center presents comprehensive workshops on RCR once each semester (the spring workshop sponsored by the office of the University Vice Provost for Research). CUNY policy also requires faculty to provide ongoing training to their students in RCR topics specific to their research setting in group discussions or one-on-one consultations.

CUNY subscribes to online RCR training modules offered by CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) on behalf of the CUNY community on all campuses. CITI instructions and training requirements for CUNY faculty, postdoctoral scholars, and undergraduate and graduate students are available here.

NSF and NIH Funded Researchers

The National Institutes of Health defines the Responsible Conduct of Research as “the practice of scientific investigation with integrity” which “involves the awareness and application of established professional norms and ethical principles in the performance of all activities related to scientific research”

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) require Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training. Recipients of funding from these agencies must complete one RCR course from the CITI training service and submit their Certificate of Completion to the GC RIO.

Contact Us

Allegations of research misconduct should be reported to:

Adrienne Klein
Research Integrity Officer (RIO)
The Graduate Center, CUNY
aklein@gc.cuny.edu.

The Ombuds Office offers a neutral setting for confidential discussion to resolve employment or academic matters.

The Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Office is responsible for the protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects in research projects conducted at CUNY or by CUNY faculty, staff, and students and RF CUNY staff. The program provides oversight, administrative support, and educational training to ensure that CUNY research complies with federal and state regulations, University policy, and the highest ethical standards.

The HRPP includes three University Integrated Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), two convened and one expedited panel, and 21 on-site HRPP offices.

The Title IX Office handles issues concerning harassment, sexual assault, and other forms of violence. 

Review CUNY’s policy on export control here, including an overview of current circumstances.

Government agencies have significantly increased their enforcement of export control compliance to now include universities and research institutions.

It is CUNY’s policy to strictly conduct its research activities under the Fundamental Research Exclusion (FRE), defined as basic and applied research, the results of which are intended to be shared broadly with the scientific community and intended for publication. Hence, while the vast majority of CUNY’s research activities are free of sponsor restrictions, the significant increase in the level of export enforcement among major research institutions such as CUNY requires that we ensure full compliance with these regulations, particularly where export license requirements or technology controls apply.

Many researchers are now exploring the option of crowdfunding as a source of extramural support for research. CUNY is in the process of developing policies and guidance related to the use of crowdfunding for research. In the interim, it is important for all CUNY researchers to note that, when seeking crowdfunding they are required to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to policies on intellectual property, conflict of interest, and human subject protection. In addition, researchers seeking crowdfunding must ensure that all funds are channeled through the Research Foundation of CUNY. 

Contact

For further guidance, please contact:

Tamera Schneider
Associate Vice Chancellor & Vice Provost for Research
tamera.schneider@cuny.edu