Research Policy Handbook

This Handbook addresses the conduct of research, i.e., systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge, at Stanford.

A complete Table of Contents of the Research Policy Handbook, including policy dates, is available (pdf file).

Contact Ann George if you have questions about this handbook.

What's New in the Research Policy Handbook

As documents are updated, or new documents are added, you will see a notice to that effect here. New or revised documents will also be identified on the individual Table of Contents for each Chapter (Chapters are linked in the menu on the left).

• The following was updated in October 2009.

  9.1 Academic Staff - Research (AS-R): Policy and Procedures for Appointment and Promotion
  Limit on additional compensation has been increased. Appointment procedures have also been updated.

• The following was updated in the Research Policy Handbook in July 2009.

  10.1 Preparation, Review and Submission of Sponsored Project Proposals
  Procedures for submission of student - initiated proposals have been clarified.

• The following were updated in the Research Policy Handbook in June 2009.

3.2 Definitions and Categories of Sponsored Projects
The definitions of "sponsored projects" and "gifts" are unchanged. The Attachment to this policy, Checklist for Determining Whether Funding is a Gift or Support for a Sponsored Project, has been reorganized and the process for making this determination has been clarified. Individuals who are involved in the processing of gifts, including cash, wire transfers or gifts of property, must complete appropriate training (see Gift Administration at Stanford, http://ora.stanford.edu/gifts ).

8.1 Animal Welfare Assurance
Stanford's Assurance of compliance with federal requirements for the humane care and use of laboratory animals has been renewed and approved through May 31, 2013.

• The following new policy was added to the Research Policy Handbook in April 2009.

  3.13 Cost Transfer Policy for Sponsored Projects
  Defines policy and procedures for after-the-fact reallocation of costs associated with a transaction from one PTA to another PTA. Establishes time frames for the timely processing of cost transfers, documentation and other requirements.

• The following new policy was added to the Research Policy Handbook in March 2009.

  10.8 Human Skeletal Remains
  Establishes policy and procedure for the preservation and treatment of human skeletal remains, assuring respect for the individual and descendent communities. Defines responsibilities for management and oversight related to archaeological skeletal collections.

• The Federalwide Assurance (FWA) agreements between the US Department of Health and Human Services and Stanford University (and with Stanford Hospital and Clinics, the Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital, the VA Palo Alto Health Care System, and PAIRE) have been renewed. The Assurances are linked to RPH 7.1 Federalwide Assurances for the Protection of Human Subjects, The Stanford University Assurance is effective through March 5, 2012.
  
  
• The following policy was updated in March 2009.

  9.7 Procedures for Registering Visiting Researchers
  The Permit for Services Only (PSO) tuition rate is no longer equivalent to the Terminal Graduate Registration (TGR) rate. This document has been updated only for clarity on this point. Nothing else in these procedures has been changed.

• Minimum salaries for Graduate Research and Teaching Assistants for the year 2009-10 were announced in February 2009. These minimum salaries are linked to information in Chapter 3 and to Chapter 9 of this Handbook.
  
  
• The following policies were updated in January 2009.

4.7 Institutional Conflict of Interest in Research Involving Human Subjects
Establishes principles and procedures designed to ensure that research involving human subjects at Stanford University is conducted without untoward influence resulting from either the University's financial investments or holdings or the personal financial interests or holdings of key institutional leaders.

10.4 Nondiscrimination in Research Agreements
Establishes that Stanford University does not engage in research agreements which permit discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by law, and does not limit participation in research on the basis of citizenship.