Reaffirming NIH’s Commitment to Scientific Integrity

October 21, 2024

Ensuring that the research the NIH funds and conducts adheres to the highest standards of scientific integrity, public accountability, and transparency is essential to earning the public’s trust. As such, we are pleased to announce that NIH is reaffirming its commitment to these principles by publishing its Scientific Integrity Policy.

New Decision Matrix Further Clarifies NIH Processes for Handling Allegations of Foreign Interference

August 15, 2024

Today NIH issued a decision matrix for assessing potential foreign interference as part of its ongoing efforts to be transparent about its policies and procedures. The decision matrix builds on the detailed information already available on our site and also offers additional detail as to how NIH considers whether to contact institutions to request additional information.

Your Feedback Sought on Proposed Updates to Research Misconduct Regulations

October 24, 2023

The regulations and policies governing how we address research misconduct associated with NIH funding are being updated. Your thoughts on these proposed changes will help us continue making research integrity an utmost priority wherever NIH funded research is conducted. Comments may be submitted until December 5, 2023.

Rethinking Population Descriptors in Genetics and Genomics Studies

September 28, 2023

Assuming that biological or genetic differences relate directly to racial or ethnic categories can lead to false scientific conclusions and perpetuate bias. Misuse of population descriptors has harmed marginalized groups and promoted scientific racism. These limitations in existing population descriptors in genetics and genomics led 14 NIH Institutes, Centers, and Offices to sponsor the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to establish an interdisciplinary committee of experts and explore the issue.

Case Study in Research Integrity – Banned From Supervising, Can’t Go in Lab, but No Impact on NIH Funded Research?

July 17, 2023

We have seen rising numbers of allegations related to harassment, discrimination, and hostile work environments since 2018 (when we first started tracking them). In many cases, we successfully work with recipient institutions to put appropriate measures in place to address unsafe working environments. However, too often we hear from institutions that a PI has violated the institution’s policies and is no longer permitted to supervise students or staff, but there will be “no impact on NIH-funded work.” We have a problem with this response.