Research Policy

The Office of Ethics and Policy is responsible for providing ethical guidance for the University as well as maintaining a Policy Repository of all University Policies, Standards, and Procedures that is comprehensive, equitable and accessible.

The University Policy Review Committee (PRC) includes individuals from units across campus known as Policy Liaisons. During its monthly meetings, the PRC discusses upcoming Unit and University policy changes. Liaisons also engage in professional learning opportunities related to policy on campus. The PRC is not an approval body for University policies, but instead serves as a group of individuals representing a variety of perspectives that provides feedback on potential policy changes and helps to communicate those changes out to the broader University community.

You can find all the University policies, procedures, and standards in the University Electronic Policy Repository.

For UNC Health policy documents, refer to UNC Health PolicyStat.

The PRC Liaison for UNC Research coordinates research policy and works closely with the UNC Office of Ethics and Policy to ensure research policy documents align with the University’s mission. They keep you informed of new and updated policy documents, seek feedback, and share policy resources and training materials.

For support, reach out to your PRC Liaison at lovmo@unc.edu

You can complete the Office of Ethics and Policy’s Policy 101 to learn more about University policymaking or navigating the Policy Repository.

Visit the Office of Ethics and Policy for more resources and training about University policymaking.

The Office of Ethics and Policy provides key policy terminology to simplify and standardize policy language.

Term	Definition/Description
Policy	Panoramic, high-level, strategic documents that set aspirational goals, aligns with the University’s mission and values, and ensures legal compliance.
Standard	Serves as a middle-role between Policy and Procedures setting minimal limits, measurements, or rules to comply with a policy successfully.
Procedure	Tactical, detail-oriented, applied documents that detail actionable steps towards fulfilling a standard or a policy.
University Procedure	A policy that applies to two or more schools or Administrative Units (i.e. the Facilities Use Policy).
Unit Policy	An internal policy that applies to a single school or Administrative unit (i.e. the School of Medicine).
These definitions were obtained from Policy 101, a primer on how policy works at UNC Chapel Hill. Click here for this primer and other resources provided by the Office of Ethics and Policy.