Deadline: 1-Jul-21
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health and Office of Research Integrity is inviting proposals for the Research on Research Integrity Conferences.
Objective
- For the purposes of this announcement, a conference is defined as a meeting, retreat, seminar, symposium, workshop or event whose primary purpose is the dissemination of technical information beyond the awardee.
- “Conference hosts/sponsors must exercise discretion and judgment in ensuring that conference costs are appropriate, necessary and managed in a manner that minimizes costs to the Federal award.”
- Applicants may seek additional sources of funding and institutional support to fund the proposed conference.
- To ensure optimal utilization of ORI’s support, applicants should articulate a comprehensive evaluation strategy that incorporates validated measures and techniques and encompasses retention and application of knowledge gained through the conference.
Themes
Conferences or workshops must be designed to provide a forum for discussion and produce tangible outcomes related to at least one of the following themes:
- Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training;
- fostering an environment that promotes research integrity;
- prevention of research misconduct;
- effective handling of research misconduct allegations;
- whistleblowing and protection of whistleblowers; or,
- other topics linked to research integrity and compliance with 42 C.F.R. Part 93.
Virtual conferences and workshops will be eligible for funding.
Funding Information
- Estimated Federal Funds Available: $50,000
- Award Ceiling (Federal Funds including indirect costs): $50,000
- Award Floor (Federal Funds including indirect costs): $25,000
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 1-2
- Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2021
- Estimated Period of Performance: Not to exceed 1 year
- Anticipated Initial Budget Period Length: 12 months
Areas
Possible topic areas include:
- Identifying best practices for the research integrity community pertaining to the processes for conducting institutional research misconduct proceedings, including evidence sequestration, interviewing techniques and preparation, defining scope of the research record pertinent to the allegation, admissibility of evidence, and protection of whistleblowers and prevention of retaliation at an institutional level.
- Developing an ethical decision-making framework for research investigators that can be used as part of education programs focused on the responsible conduct of research.
- Convening experts from diverse disciplines who are able to apply innovative, established, emerging, or promising models to develop interventions to prevent or deter research misconduct. Collaboration with academic societies and associations and other national and international public and private organizations is encouraged, particularly when doing so will enhance outcomes or impact (e.g., amplify dissemination or diffusion, build coalitions).
- Proposing strategies, approaches, and changes to institutional processes and practices to encourage witnesses and bystanders to potential research misconduct or detrimental research practices ([DRPs], e.g. disruptions of power dynamics, p-value “hacking,” ghost authorship), to lodge good-faith reports with an appropriate institutional official. Exploration of institutional factors, including institutional norms and culture, that might serve to deter whistleblowing, and practical solutions to help mitigate these barriers, are of particular interest.
- Developing networks to enable institutions to share and leverage knowledge and resources for handling allegations of research misconduct and DRPs.
- Developing networks and recommendations for implementing programs designed to facilitate compliance with federal and institutional requirements for training in the responsible conduct of research, considering evidence-based assessment of current practices, overarching theories, and incentives for fostering an environment that promotes research integrity.
Eligibility Criteria
- Any public or private entity, including faith-based, community-based, and Indian Tribes or Tribal organizations, are eligible to apply.
- Foreign institutions (non-domestic U.S.) entities and foreign components of U.S. organizations are eligible to apply.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=328465
