The Concordat to Support Research Integrity

The Concordat to Support Research Integrity is the UK’s governing document on research integrity, including requirements on specific aspects of research integrity such as research culture, research ethics and governance of research projects. It is a ‘framework by which the UK research community, and those collaborating with them, can support the trustworthiness of UK research’. 

Covering all sectors and disciplines of research, the Concordat sets out five commitments that those engaged in research must make to help ensure that the highest standards of rigour and integrity are maintained. These key commitments apply to researchers and research-supporting staff, research organisations and funding bodies alike, and are a condition of grants from many research funders, including UK Research & Innovation.

UKRIO has given significant input into all three editions of the Concord and have long championed many of its commitments. The Concordat is an important step in the journey towards improving research integrity and enhancing the UK’s world-class reputation for conducting exceptional and innovative research. We are pleased to be part of the powerful consensus that it documents and will continue to work with the signatories of the Concordat to help implement its requirements and provide feedback to inform its future development.

For a introductory guide to the Concordat please click here.

 

Briefing note on the 2025 Concordat

In a new UKRIO briefing note, Chief Innovation Officer James Parry provides detailed, practical insight into the revised Concordat. Given its key role in shaping the terms and conditions for many research grants, it is essential that organisations and researchers understand how their obligations under the Concordat have evolved in this recent revision. 

To find out what the new requirements are, and what has stayed the same, read the briefing note here.

 

2025 revision of the Concordat

On 4 April 2025, the revised Concordat to Support Research Integrity was published to ensure it remains current in an ever-evolving research landscape. Previously it was revised in 2019 following the recommendations of a parliamentary Select Committee on research integrity.

  • As stated on its website, organisations have until April 2026 to adhere to the expectations of the 2025 Concordat. In the meantime, they should continue to comply with the 2019 edition.

The revised Concordat can be downloaded from its website or direct via this link: The Concordat to Support Research Integrity (2025)

 

Help with implementing the Concordat

UKRIO is helping to maintain the current momentum by supporting and enhancing the implementation of the Concordat. We have unmatched experience in helping organisations put into operation the principles and standards of new research guidance, drawing on our expertise as an Observer on its Signatories Group, and will support the UK research community in meeting the requirements of the revised Concordat.

We will continue working with our subscribers and others to review and enhance their systems, practices and environments. UKRIO does not offer a prescriptive approach but helps researchers and institutions determine what would best meet their particular needs.

If you would like our support in embedding the revised Concordat in the systems and practices of your research or your organisation, please contact us.

 

UKRIO’s Self-Assessment Tool for the Concordat: second edition

The Concordat allows for flexibility in how its commitments are implemented – it does not set out a restrictive ‘one size fits all’ approach. However, it can be challenging to put high-level statements on research standards into practice and many institutions and researchers have asked UKRIO for advice.

UKRIO developed our Self-Assessment Tool to help institutions identify areas of their research practices, policies and culture that may need revision in order to comply with the Concordat. It also goes further than helping with compliance, allowing institutions to consider how they might carry out a broad implementation of the Concordat, building on existing activities to safeguard and enhance research quality and a healthy research culture. Following the publication of the 2025 edition of the Concordat, we are revising our Self-Assessment Tool and will publish the third edition in the coming months.