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Campus Box 4000
UNC-Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-4000
Tel: 919-962-1319
Fax: 919-962-1476

You are here: Responsible Conduct of Research

Responsible Conduct of Research

Does your research or university service involve:

Animals?
Human Subjects?
Use of Individually Identifiable Health or Medical Information?
Recombinant DNA?
Chemicals or other Hazardous Materials?
Radioactive Materials?
Shipment of Hazardous Materials?
Biological Safety Cabinets?
Generation of Hazardous Waste?
X-rays or Lasers?
International Transport of Materials, Supervision of Foreign Nationals, or Sharing Scientific Information Abroad?
Inventions, Patents, Materials Transfer, or Other Intellectual Property Issues?
Outside Activities that May Pose Conflicts of Interest?
Closing or Moving a Laboratory?
A Sabbatical or Extended Absence?

Are you interested in being considered for a Limited-Submission Award or Grant?

Does your research involve Animals?

Then you need to:

Complete online Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) orientation
Obtain approval from the IACUC before beginning any project using live vertebrate animals
Appoint a Laboratory Animal Coordinator and have your coordinator complete required species-specific hands-on training
Submit medical history registration form for all animal handlers and caretakers. This form is accessed through the UNC-Chapel Hill Animal Research Registration System under "Animal Handler Profile."
Order research animals, arrange facilities, or talk with a veterinarian about veterinary or technical services at the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM)
Report any concerns regarding the use of animals to IACUC or the Research Compliance Coordinator

Does your research involve Human Subjects?

A human subject is defined by federal regulations as "a living individual about whom an investigator conducting research obtains (1) data through intervention or interaction with the individual, or (2) identifiable private information."

Then you need to:

Obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval prior to beginning research or contacting potential human subjects (this includes all research, funded or unfunded, conducted by faculty or students)
Review the Office of Human Research Ethics Guide to the IRB Process
Complete the Human Research Ethics Training required for all investigators and staff who have contact with human subjects or their data
Submit application for review by the IRB and obtain approval or exemption using required forms and procedures

Does your research or service activity involve the use of Individually Identifiable Health or Medical Information?

Then you need to:

Complete the online Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training module
Review the UNC HIPAA home page (see "HIPAA Resources for Researchers")

Do you conduct research involving Recombinant DNA?

Then you need to:

Review "Responsibilities of Researchers Using Recombinant DNA/Human Gene Transfer Experiments" to determine whether your experiment is exempt or requires approval
Register your experiment with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) of the Department of Environment, Health and Safety and obtain approval before starting your research

Do you work with Chemicals or other Hazardous Materials?

Then you need to:

Review the Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Laboratory Safety Manual (PDF)
Develop a Laboratory Safety Plan (LSP) addressing hazards and precautions in your specific laboratory
Ensure training of laboratory personnel in LSP procedures and appropriate use of Material Safety Data Sheets

Do you work with Radioactive Materials?

Then you need to:

First obtain a radioactive materials license from the Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS). To do so, you need to:
Complete and submit a Laboratory Safety Plan (specifically include Schedule C) to EHS
Complete training requirements with either the Radiation Safety Orientation Class (classroom) or the radiation safety review course
Complete pre-licensing consultation with Radiation Safety Office to get approval from the Radiation Safety Committee
Get approval before purchasing radioactive materials

Does your research require Shipment of Hazardous Materials to or from campus?

Then you need to:

Before shipping, determine whether materials are deemed hazardous (PDF)
Ensure required training for all staff involved in shipping and/or receiving hazardous materials
Become familiar with license requirements for international shipment of infectious agents and toxins

Do you use Biological Safety Cabinets?

Then you need to:

Get your cabinets reviewed and approved (PDF) by the Health and Safety Office at time of purchase, installation, whenever they are moved, prior to use, and periodically thereafter

Does your research Generate Hazardous Waste in the laboratory?

Then you need to:

Do you work with X-ray machines or operate Lasers?

Then you need to:

Get approval from Radiation Safety Office before acquiring equipment
Develop written safety plan and safe operating procedures

Does your research or university service involve International Shipping, Mailing, or Transport of research materials, equipment, or scientific samples? Do you supervise Foreign Nationals engaged in research? Do you Travel Abroad to Present Results, Consult with others, or otherwise Share Scientific Information with international colleagues?

Then you need to:

Review the university Policy on Export Control
Consult the Export Control website for guidance specific on international travel, sponsored research, and shipping

Has your research produced an Invention? Do you need a Material Transfer Agreement? Do you have questions about Invention Disclosures, Patents, Copyrights, Invention Marketing, Confidentiality Agreements or other agreements involving Intellectual Property issues?

Then you need to:

Read the "For UNC Inventors" section of the Office of Technology Development (OTD) web site
Submit an online report of invention form or materials transfer agreement
Come to one of the Carolina Innovations Seminars

Do you have Conflicts of Interest such as Financial Relationships, Time Commitments, or other interests that may compete with your University responsibilities?

Then you need to:

Review the University's "Policy on Conflicts of Interest and Commitment" online
Complete the project-specific evaluation form for possible conflict of interest for each sponsored research application and IRB protocol

Are you Closing or Moving a Laboratory?

Then you need to:

Remove all materials, including chemicals and biologicals
Clean and decontaminate laboratory and storage areas
Contact Department of Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) (PDF) at least 60 days prior to vacating
Contact Institutional Animal Care and Use committee (IACUC) to terminate any animal use protocol or amend protocol to name new principal investigator

Are you going to be on Sabbatical or absent for more than 30 days?

Then you need to:

Appoint someone familiar with procedures to provide laboratory oversight in your absence
Empower a co-investigator to make necessary decisions on animal use protocols (contact IACUC if you have questions)
Inform the Division of Laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) of changes in emergency contact information for animal use protocols

Are you interested in being considered for a Limited-Submission Award or Grant?

Then you need to:

Check the Office of Research Development (ORD) website to see a list of limited-submission award and grant competitions coordinated by ORD
Check ORD's Frequently Asked Questions to learn about more about limited-submission awards and grants and the processes for nomination and peer review
Contact Regina Bartolone (919-962-7504) if you have questions

VCRED Links

Contact us

Responsible Conduct of Research

Does your research or university service involve:

Are you interested in being considered for a Limited-Submission Award or Grant?

Does your research involve Animals?

Then you need to:

See also:

Does your research involve Human Subjects?

Then you need to:

See also:

Does your research or service activity involve the use of Individually Identifiable Health or Medical Information?

Then you need to:

See also:

Do you conduct research involving Recombinant DNA?

Then you need to:

See also:

Do you work with Chemicals or other Hazardous Materials?

Then you need to:

See also:

Do you work with Radioactive Materials?

Then you need to:

See also:

Does your research require Shipment of Hazardous Materials to or from campus?

Then you need to:

See also:

Do you use Biological Safety Cabinets?

Then you need to:

See also:

Does your research Generate Hazardous Waste in the laboratory?

Then you need to:

See also:

Do you work with X-ray machines or operate Lasers?

Then you need to:

See also:

Then you need to:

See also:

Has your research produced an Invention? Do you need a Material Transfer Agreement? Do you have questions about Invention Disclosures, Patents, Copyrights, Invention Marketing, Confidentiality Agreements or other agreements involving Intellectual Property issues?

Then you need to:

See also:

Do you have Conflicts of Interest such as Financial Relationships, Time Commitments, or other interests that may compete with your University responsibilities?

Then you need to:

See also:

Are you Closing or Moving a Laboratory?

Then you need to:

See also:

Are you going to be on Sabbatical or absent for more than 30 days?

Then you need to:

See also:

Are you interested in being considered for a Limited-Submission Award or Grant?

Then you need to:

See also: