Recent changes to UAB’s Policy Concerning the Responsible Conduct of Research and Other Scholarly Activities have been adopted to reflect current best practice and to align with changes in federal regulation 42 CFR Part 93 published September 1, 2024. These changes include:
- Policy Name Change: UAB’s Policy is now called the Research Misconduct Policy and is effective for allegations assessed on or after May 21, 2025. A companion Policy and/or Procedure concerning the broader Responsible Conduct of Research enterprise is forthcoming.
- Expanded Definitions: An expanded set of clear definitions for terms used throughout the Policy and Procedure.
- Clear Process for Allegations: Addition of a clear process for assessing incoming allegations and conducting inquiries and investigations.
- Clarification of Advancement: Clarification concerning the advancement of allegations from assessment to inquiry and from inquiry to investigation with refinement to the construct of these bodies.
- Adjudicating Officer Change: Changing the adjudicating officer to the Vice President for Research, with the Provost serving as the officer responsible for administrative and personnel actions, which may be subject to other UAB Policies.
- Timeline Adjustments: Adjusting the timeline for UAB to conduct an inquiry to 30 days after the first meeting of an Inquiry Panel, and increasing the time allotted for post-inquiry investigations to 180 days after an Investigation Committee receives its charge.
- Refinement of Appeals: Refinement such that findings of Research Misconduct are not subject to appeal, although administrative personnel actions may be subject to appeal pursuant to any companion UAB Policy relevant to the action.
These changes aim to ensure clarity, efficiency, and alignment with federal regulations. The new Policy is accessible via:
https://secure4.compliancebridge.com/uab/portal/getdoc.php?file=398
Questions concerning the new regulations should be directed to