Have your say! The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), Joint Committee on Research Environments (JCORE) is in full swing and just published a Request for Information (RFI) on the American Research Environment. Heading into the new year, OSTP is focused on four vital areas of compliance.
What is JCORE’s goal? Launched in May 2019, JCORE asks for input on (1) research integrity and reproducibility; (2) administrative burden and financial conflicts of interest; (3) foreign influence; and (4) inclusive and harassment-free culture.
What could this mean? OSTP may use information submitted as part of the RFI to recommend changes affecting research grants in the future. Since the RFI is also a result of mounting law enforcement and Congressional pressures calling for increased research grant oversight, any reforms are likely to result in increased oversight and enforcement. The RFI foreshadows changes in pre and post-award requirements, or related new regulatory initiatives in the future.
How can you respond? To submit comments, email the NSTC Executive Director Chloe Kontos by Monday, December 23, 2019 before 11:59 pm ET. Each person or institution should only submit one response. Your submission should:
- Include “RFI Response: JCORE” in the subject line;
- Be in a word document or pdf that is not copy-protected;
- Not exceed 10 pages in 12 point or larger font;
- Display a page number on each page; and
- Include the name of the people or organization(s) filing the comment.
We recommend that you review the full instructions before submitting a comment.
Questions? We can help you stay informed and well-versed on the latest best research grant best practices:
- Do you have questions about the standards Federal agencies have for reproducibility, replicability and research integrity?
- Do disclosure requirements related to foreign influence keep you up at night? Do you get push back from your research community about the balance between reporting and administrative requirements and the potential risk of unreported or managed financial conflicts that could compromise the research?
- Do you face questions about how to disclose financial as well as nonfinancial support and affiliations and how such disclosures should be validated?
- Do you face questions about community diversity and the prevention of discrimination and harassment in the research environment?
If you have questions about this RFI or other legal, regulatory, or compliance matters related to a research grant, please contact FTLF attorneys Ted Waters, Scott Sheffler, Kristen Schwendinger, or Derek Adams, or call FTLF at (202) 466-8960.
Webinar: FTLF is hosting two upcoming webinars on key issues impacting research grants. Please join us on January 14, 2020 at 1 PM ET for Research Misconduct Investigations: Whistleblower & Respondent Protections and February 26, 2020 at 1 PM ET for Research Grant Disclosures & Foreign Influence Concerns.
