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All university research involving human subjects, animal subjects, radiation sources, recombinant DNA, synthetic nucleic acid molecules, biohazardous materials, export controlled technology, sponsorship or support from foreign entities, or a potential conflict of interest must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate university committee(s) before the research is started. Graduate students are, with the assistance of their advisors, responsible for obtaining the necessary approval for their research. Verification of approval must be submitted to the School of Graduate Studies before the student’s master’s Program of Study or doctoral Application for Candidacy can be approved. For further information, contact the School of Graduate Studies or the Office of the Vice President for Research.
Human Participants in Research
All research that involves a living person, their private, identifiable information, or their identifiable biospecimens must first be reviewed by the USU Institutional Review Board. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is responsible for ensuring the safety and welfare of all human research participants, which sometimes includes secondary data analysis. The IRB imposes certain standards on the conduct of the research in line with federal regulations, state laws, institutional policies, and research best practices so that USU can continue to conduct funded scientific research.
For information about the submission and approval process, visit: research.usu.edu/irb/getting-started.
Vertebrate Animals
All research, teaching, or demonstration activities involving live vertebrate animals must first be reviewed and approved by the USU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). This includes agricultural, wildlife, and biomedical based studies, whether conducted at a USU facility or in the field. The IACUC is responsible for ensuring animal welfare and University compliance with all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations. To receive guidance on the most efficient process for receiving the required approvals it is recommended you contact the IACUC office prior to submitting a request to conduct animal-based activities
For information about the submission and approval process please visit: research.usu.edu/iacuc/.
Radioactive Materials
All research that involves the use of sealed sources of radioactive energy, dispensable radioactive material, generate X-rays, or produce class IIIB or class IV laser light must be reviewed and approved by the USU Radiation Safety Committee (RSC). The RSC reviews, approves and oversees projects involving radioactive energy to ensure the work is conducted in accordance with USU’s radioactive Materials License issued by the State of Utah, Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control. The use of radioisotopes is tightly controlled, and all persons using them must be registered and properly trained. The radioactive materials license is available for review, upon request, at the Environmental Health and Safety offices during normal business hours. Details of the requirements to conduct research involving radioactive energy may be found in USU’s Radiation Safety Handbook (Radiological Safety | Environmental Health and Safety | USU). The RSC imposes standards on the conduct of the research in line with federal regulations, guidelines, institutional policies, and research best practices so that USU can continue to conduct funded scientific research.
For more information about the submission and approval process please contact the RSC Chair at research.usu.edu/ehs/laboratory/radiation.
Recombinant DNA, Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molor Biohazardous Materials
All research that involves the use of recombinant DNA, synthetic nucleic acid molecules or biosafety level 2/3 pathogens must first be reviewed and approved by the USU Institutional Biosafety Committee. The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews, approves and oversees project proposals involving biohazardous materials (including BSL-2/3 infectious agents), “Select Agents” (as stated in USU’s Policy 583.11: Safety and Health in Research), and dual use of research of concern (DURC) (required under the 2015 US Policy for Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences Dual Use Research of Concern). The IBC imposes certain standards on the conduct of the research in line with federal regulations, guidelines, institutional policies, and research best practices so that USU can continue to support scientific research.
For information about the submission and approval process, visit: usu.service-now.com/usu/ibc.do.
Export Controls
All research activities involving the export or “use” (as defined by the Export Administration Regulations) of export-controlled technology must be approved by USU’s Export Control Officer (ECO). The Director of Research Integrity and Compliance serves as the ECO and assists researchers in determining if their technology is subject to export control regulations. If export control regulations do apply to a research project, the ECO will work with the research team to ensure compliance with federal laws and regulations before the export-controlled activities begin. In addition, all international students, scholars, and employees will be screened through an export compliance process and must be approved by the ECO before their visa application is processed. The ECO works with the supervising Department Head, Dean, and Professor, in addition to the Office of Global Engagement, School of Graduate Studies, and Human Resources to gather information and make a final determination.
For information about the submission and approval process, visit: research.usu.edu/compliance/export.
Research Support from Foreign Entities
Several federal agencies have issued information and guidance concerning undue foreign influence on federally funded research. In particular, agency communications have centered around the following issues: disclosure of research support, disclosure of foreign appointments, diversion of intellectual property, sharing of confidential information by application peer reviewers, and participation in foreign talent recruitment programs. USU researchers must disclose foreign appointments, research support, and financial interests, including travel to the division of Research Integrity and Compliance (RIC) as part of the Conflict of Interest disclosure process. Disclosures to federal sponsors must be made at the proposal stage and throughout the award cycle as required by sponsor regulations.
For information about the submission and approval process, visit: research.usu.edu/compliance/foreign-influence.
Conflicts of Interest
The division of Research Integrity and Compliance (RIC) is responsible for identifying and managing all individual and institutional Conflicts of Interest (COI) that are related to research. USU policy states that a COI exists when a University employee owes a professional obligation to the University, which is or can be compromised by the pursuit of outside interests. These conflicts can include financial conflicts of interest, conflicts of commitment, and conflicts of allegiance and can create - or have the appearance of creating - bias in the research. The RIC will determine if a COI exists and work with the researcher, Department Head, Dean, and other appropriate offices and committees (e.g. IRB, IACUC, etc.) to create a management plan, which must be approved prior to research activities.
For information about the submission and approval process, visit: research.usu.edu/compliance/conflict-of-interest.
Sponsored Research
All proposals for grants, contracts, and agreements for externally funded research and activities must be provided to the Sponsored Programs Office (SPO) for review and approval prior to the proposal’s final submission to the funding sponsor. SPO will review each proposal for accuracy, considering the funding sponsor’s requirements and University policies, and verify that any regulatory or compliance approvals have been appropriately identified. Once SPO has finalized its proposal review and verified that the cognizant Department Head and Dean have approved the proposal, SPO will then submit the proposal to the funding sponsor.
Grant awards, contracts, and agreements for each proposal that is funded by a sponsor, must be negotiated and approved by SPO to incorporate adequate and correct terms, consistent with University policies and State of Utah requirements. SPO will verify that any required regulatory or compliance approvals are in place prior to the conduct of the research and will work with the researcher throughout the performance period to ensure appropriate, accurate, and timely grant and contract administration.
For information about proposal submission and award management processes, please visit: research.usu.edu/spo/policies.
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