Research Integrity & Compliance

About Research Integrity and Compliance

Our Mission

To ensure research performed at the University of South Florida is safe and ethical; to facilitate the conduct of research; to comply with applicable regulations, laws, and institutional polices; and thereby, promote a culture of integrity in research.

Our Programs

Biosafety Program
Incorporating health and safety practices governing all personnel working with biohazardous materials in research and/or teaching activities at USF and its affiliated institutions.

Boating Safety & Scientific Diving Programs
The Boating Safety Program provides training, support and oversight for the operators of small vessels used in research. The Scientific Diving Program develops, reviews and implements standards for safe scientific diving.

Conflict of Interest Program
Ensuring that the integrity of research is maintained during all phases of research (e.g., design, conduct and reporting), and preserve the public trust in the university while also promoting entrepreneurship among the research community.

Export Controls
Helping faculty, researchers, and staff navigate the complex environment of export regulations while maintaining the highest level of compliance with U.S. export control regulations.

IRB - Human Research Protections
Protecting the rights, safety, and welfare of human subjects who participate in the research programs at USF and its affiliated institutions. Institutional Review Board (IRB) / Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

IACUC
Supporting excellence in research and teaching involving vertebrate animals.

IND/IDE Assistance Program
Providing comprehensive regulatory support, guidance and education to Sponsor-Investigators who need to file an Investigational New Drug (IND) or Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) application for U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-regulated clinical research.

QA/QI Program
The Quality Assurance / Quality Improvement Program assists the university, its affiliate partners, and our researchers in performing human subject research of the highest ethical standards and promoting confidence in the integrity of human subject research at our institution. In addition, the QA/QI Program provides training and education to researchers and their study teams and provides them with tools to facilitate the conduct of their research.

Radiation Safety / Laser Safety Programs
The goal of the Radiation Safety Office is to keep radiation exposure to university personnel, members of the public, and the environment As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) and in compliance with state and federal regulations. The purpose of the Laser Safety Program is to ensure the safe use of lasers in USF research by identifying hazards, providing recommendations for proper use, and for laser safety training for individuals using lasers.

Research Misconduct Program
Preventing the occurrences of research misconduct–defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.


EthicsPoint Hotline

EthicsPoint provides an easy, anonymous way to discreetly and confidentially report activities that may involve improper conduct or violations of USF policies.