Research Councils UK updates its research integrity requirements

Research Councils UK has published the RCUK Policy and Guidelines on Governance of Good Research Conduct , replacing its existing guidance on research integrity.

Building on RCUK guidance published in 2009, the new document, which applies to all RCUK grants, reflects recent developments in research integrity and ongoing work in this field by RCUK, the European Science Foundation, UKRIO and others.

The document will underpin, but not replace, discipline-specific guidance on research integrity from individual Research Councils. It has been designed to complement The Concordat to Support Research Integrity and, as did the previous edition, recommends UKRIO’s Procedure for the Investigation of Misconduct in Research.

A key development is that the RCUK Policy and Guidelines sets out sanctions for grant-holding organisations which fail to meet their obligations for research integrity – for example by conducting an incomplete or biased investigation into alleged misconduct or if their researchers have committed ‘persistent research misconduct’. Such institutions could have existing grants revoked or applications rejected.

RCUK Policy and Guidelines on Governance of Good Research Conduct

Media release on the revised publication

Kathryn Mecrow

Project Officer, UKRIO