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Notre Dame Research is committed to supporting University researchers in doing what they do best – delivering cutting-edge, globally significant research, scholarship, or creative endeavor that is a force for good in the world.
The following questions and answers are here to help University researchers find support at all stages of the research lifecycle.

...find support for developing my research proposal?


The Research Development Team within Notre Dame Research assists faculty researchers in developing a successful research portfolio.

They provide expert guidance on connecting to potential resources, collaborators, and funding, as well as cultivating relationships with federal, state, and corporate funding agencies.

Services include:

  • Hosting federal agency program officers on campus. Visiting federal funding agencies to discuss faculty research interests.
  • Connecting faculty to proposal development specialists at all phases of developing a proposal.
  • Providing technical proposal reviews, or reviews by federal or military advisors, prior to submission.
  • Grant writing workshops.
  • Support for development of large, complex proposals or multi-institutional proposals.
  • Advising faculty on how to build a successful research program.

More information: research.nd.edu/our-services/research-development

Contact: Research Development Team

...get help if my research is audited?


If contacted by a sponsor agency about a financial audit, or for any questions related to auditing, Notre Dame Research’s Policy and Training Team is available to assist. They serve as the liaison to Research and Sponsored Programs and are also responsible for data retention and records management related to research.

More information: research.nd.edu/our-services/compliance/auditing

Contact: Policy and Training Team

...find information about conducting animal research?


All research involving live vertebrate animals must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) prior to the initiation of the research and before a research award can be accepted.

Guidelines

The University of Notre Dame recognizes an inherent obligation that all research utilizing animals is performed with strict adherence to federal guidelines and with the utmost concern for the welfare and well-being of the subjects.

The University of Notre Dame has an approved Assurance of Compliance on file with the National Institutes of Health, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare.

eProtocol System

All research involving live vertebrate animals must be reviewed and approved by the Institutional Care and Use Committee (IACUC) prior to the initiation of the research and before a research award can be accepted.

To submit a request for approval or to track or review information related to animal research, please use the eProtocol System.

Training

All staff, faculty, and students who are involved in the care or use of animals for research, utilizing animal tissues, or listed on an animal protocol at the University of Notre Dame are required to participate in the Introductory Training Program consisting of online training modules administered through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science Learning Library. See more at freimann.nd.edu.

More Information: research.nd.edu/our-services/compliance/animal-research

Contact: Compliance Team

...find information on biosafety?

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is responsible for the review and approval of research conducted at or sponsored by the University which involves the use of recombinant DNA or hazardous materials. These materials include, but are not limited to, infectious agents, oncogenic agents, chemical carcinogens, or other agents that may place research personnel, the public, or the environment at risk.

More Information: research.nd.edu/our-services/compliance/biosafety

Contact: Compliance Team

For general information on Risk Management and Safety at the University of Notre Dame, please see riskmanagement.nd.edu

...learn more about Conflict of Interest?


Notre Dame is committed to maintaining the highest standards of compliance for Conflict of Interest and actively works to identify and avoid situations, activities, or relationships that might create the potential for, or perception of, a Conflict of Interest.

To review the full Conflict of Interest policy, please visit http://conflictpolicy.nd.edu/.

More information: https://research.nd.edu/our-services/compliance/conflict-of-interest/

Contact: Policy and Training Team

...learn more about export control?

Notre Dame expects that all personnel comply with all U.S. laws and regulations while teaching, conducting research, or engaging in service activities at or on behalf of the University.

As such, all personnel are required to comply with certain U.S. laws and regulations that regulate the transfer of items, information, technology, software, and funds to destinations and persons outside of the U.S., as well as to non-U.S. citizens at the University. These current laws and regulations are collectively referred to as the “Export Control Laws.” Many of the research, teaching, or service activities conducted by University faculty and staff are shielded from the Export Control Laws by a long-standing “fundamental research” exemption; however, it is still important for University personnel to understand these laws and the University’s procedures for ensuring compliance with them.

Restrictions

Some restrictions apply to information, items, technologies, or services. In addition to activities involving military items or weapons, it is critical to note that many normal, everyday University activities are subject to export controls. Noncompliance with export control laws and regulations can result in severe civil and criminal penalties, including imprisonment, loss of research contracts, seizure and forfeiture of goods, and loss of export privileges.

See the restrictions at research.nd.edu/our-services/compliance/export-control

Applicability

Most research conducted at the University Notre Dame will not be affected, but there are some areas of export control regulations that university researchers should be aware of.

See the list and further details at research.nd.edu/our-services/compliance/export-control

Export Control Management

Technology Control Plans (TCPS)

Notre Dame Research can assist faculty members in creating a detailed Technology Control Plan (TCP) in the event that a piece of equipment, technology, or technical data is identified as regulated by one of the three export control agencies.

Export Control Licensing

An export control license is the U.S. government mechanism to allow and trace transfers of export controlled technologies. License requests must be submitted to the specific federal agency responsible.

Training

The University of Notre Dame requires export control training via an institutional subscription to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) for all faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars who anticipate working in export controlled areas or anticipate submitting an export control license (or exception). Certification is good for five years and it must be completed before beginning work.

More Information: research.nd.edu/our-services/compliance/export-control

Contact: Director of Research Contracts

...learn more about Freedom of Information?

The Policy and Training Team within Notre Dame Research is responsible for responding to all Freedom of Information Act requests related to sponsored research.

More Information: research.nd.edu/our-services/compliance/freedom-of-information

Contact: Policy and Training Team

...find information about conducting human research?

As a Catholic Institution, the University of Notre Dame is committed to compassionate care for the whole person. Thus, in all of its activities, Notre Dame promotes the physical, psychological, spiritual, and social well-being of those served. The University of Notre Dame is dedicated to defending and promoting human dignity, health, and well-being.

The University of Notre Dame fosters a research environment that promotes respect for the rights and welfare of individuals recruited for, or participating in, research conducted by or under the auspices of the University of Notre Dame. In the review and conduct of research, actions by the University of Notre Dame will be guided by the principles set forth in the "Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research" (often referred to as the Belmont Report). The actions of the University of Notre Dame will also conform to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

In order to fulfill this mission, the University of Notre Dame has established a Human Research Protections Program (HRPP). The mission of the HRPP is to:

  • Safeguard and promote the health and welfare of human research subjects by ensuring that their rights, safety, and well-being are protected;
  • Provide guidance and support to the research community in the conduct of research with human subjects;
  • Assist the research community in ensuring compliance with relevant regulations;
  • Provide timely and high quality education and review of human research projects; and
  • Facilitate excellence in human subjects research.

To review the full policy please visit: University of Notre Dame Institutional Human Research Protections Policy.

All forms relating to informed consent templates, HIPAA-related forms, and request forms for specific types of research can be found in the Resources Library.

eProtocol System

All researchers engaged in research involving human subjects must submit requests for Institutional Review Board (IRB) review and approval prior to beginning their work.

To submit a request for approval or to track or review information related to human subjects research, please use the eProtocol system.

Training

Notre Dame requires that all personnel listed on an IRB protocol must complete online training via an institutional subscription to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative for all faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars prior to approval to work with human subjects.

Information for Participants

Notre Dame Research has developed a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to assist potential research participants on deciding whether or not to participate in a research study.

The full FAQs are available here: research.nd.edu/our-services/compliance/human-research/human-research-participant-faqs.

More Information: research.nd.edu/our-services/compliance/human-research

Contact: Compliance Team

...learn about research misconduct?

Notre Dame strives to cultivate an atmosphere of honesty and trust in which the pursuit of knowledge can occur. Integrity of research forms the foundation of respect among scholars and students and between the academic world and the public. All members of the University community share responsibility for maintaining this climate of trust and integrity.

Research Misconduct, which is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism, detracts from this climate of trust and integrity. It is the explicit duty of all members of the faculty, staff, student body, or other individuals associated with the University of Notre Dame to report observed, suspected, or apparent research misconduct to the Vice President for Research or a Dean of a College or School.

To make an anonymous complaint please use the Notre Dame’s Integrity Line (1.800.688.9918).

To review the full University of Notre Dame Policy Governing Misconduct in Research, please visit policy.nd.edu.

More Information: research.nd.edu/our-services/compliance/research-misconduct

Contact: Vice President for Research

...learn about responsible conduct?

The responsible and ethical conduct of research is critical for excellence, as well as public trust, in social science, science, and engineering, and is essential to the preparation of future scientists and engineers. Notre Dame is committed to creating an environment that promotes responsible conduct in research and fosters integrity within the research community.

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training is required for undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars who receive National Science Foundation (NSF) or National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds.

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame must meet the RCR training requirements of the NSF and the NIH for training in the following ways.

CITI Training

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame must complete online training via an institutional subscription to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) for all faculty, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars related to RCR.

Graduate School Training

Notre Dame Research and the Graduate School offer a RCR workshop in January of each year to engage students with real-world ethical dilemmas and practical advice and offer them the opportunity to discuss the nature of ethical and socially conscious research. Additionally, the Graduate School offers a three-hour ethics workshop requirement for graduation (Ph.D. only) in addition to the eight-hour RCR requirement.

More Information:

Contact: Compliance Team

...get funding for my research?


For Faculty

Notre Dame Research provides support for faculty research funding in a number of ways, including:

More Information: research.nd.edu/our-services/funding-opportunities/faculty


For Postdoctoral Scholars

The University of Notre Dame's Office for Postdoctoral Scholars is the main resource for all incoming and current postdoctoral scholars and non-faculty research appointees on campus.

More Information: postdocs.nd.edu/current-postdocs/external-funding.


For Graduate Students

The Graduate School is responsible for all post-baccalaureate programs in Engineering, Global Affairs, Humanities, Sciences, and Social Sciences. Architecture, Business, and Law are administered separately. The Graduate School’s services also include holistic professional development, support for obtaining grants and fellowships, and a career services office dedicated to building strong career outcomes.

More Information: graduateschool.nd.edu/admissions/financial-support/prestigious-fellowships


For Undergraduates

The University of Notre Dame is committed to maintaining a vibrant research atmosphere at all levels, including for undergraduate students.

The Flatley Center for Undergraduate Scholarly Engagement (CUSE) offers workshops, one-on-one advising, and other resources that can help students in all Colleges and Schools identify and apply for research grants, assistantships, and fellowships.

More Information: cuse.nd.edu/undergraduate-research

...get help developing a proposal?

Notre Dame Research provides a suite of services to support faculty researchers with grant proposal identification and preparation, including:

Reviewing Requirements

Grant proposal requirements can often be complicated to identify and understand. Notre Dame Research is available to assist faculty researchers in reviewing all sponsor guidelines, including identifying key issues and reviewing contractual terms.

Proposal Development and Submission

Notre Dame Research can assist with the complete development of research or grant proposals, including:

  • Preparing budgets and reviewing budget justifications.
  • Securing subcontract information.
  • Assisting with cost-share commitments and documentation.
  • Assisting with sponsor forms and electronic submissions systems.
  • Preparing and collecting bio-sketches or other non-technical information.
  • Providing templates and samples of key documents, such as Letters of Intent.
  • Finalizing the proposal submission, including obtaining appropriate approval signatures and institutional approval, and, ultimately, submission.

Post-submission Activities

Notre Dame Research also supports post-submission requests from the sponsor, such as requests for revised budgets.

More information: research.nd.edu/our-services/proposal-preparation-and-development

Contact: Pre-Award Team

...manage my research awards?

Notre Dame Research provides support to Notre Dame faculty and researchers, as well as staff who interact with researchers, for the management of grants and awards, including contract review and negotiation, transactional support, and more.

Agreements

Notre Dame Research provides support in reviewing, negotiating, signing, and accepting research agreements on behalf of the University. In addition, Notre Dame Research can generate sub-awards and research consulting agreements, as well as assist with project close out and reporting.

Support is provided in the review and negotiation of the following types of research-related agreements:

  • Data Use Agreements (DUA)
  • Grants, Cooperative Agreements, Contracts, or Subcontracts Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs)
  • Memoranda of Understanding (MOU)
  • Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) or Confidential Disclosure Agreements (CDAs)
  • Teaming Agreements

More Information: research.nd.edu/our-services/award-management

Contact: Research Contracts Team

Grants Program Management

Notre Dame Research supports researchers in making changes to budgets, no cost extensions, projections on spending, and other project changes. The team also ensures that all information related to the grant is entered into the University’s system of record for research administration, Cayuse, and will support the principal investigator in the following ways, as required:

  • Establishing award budgets and accounts for grant expenditures.
  • Communicating the terms of the award and requirements to the research team.
  • Conducting launch meetings with the principal investigators to identify and coordinate project business needs.
  • Developing account projections and internal financial reporting for principal investigators in order to monitor and plan for grant expenditures.
  • Providing support for Notre Dame purchasing and payment systems.
  • Liaising with central offices, such as Human Resources, and supporting faculty and postdoctoral scholar appointments.

More Information: research.nd.edu/our-services/award-management

Contact: Grants Program Management Team

...get technical support?

Notre Dame Research supports the University research community on the use of more than 100 different internal and external software systems used for proposal and award activities, including governmental website and Cayuse, which is the University’s system of record for research administration. In addition, the team can prepare tailored reports on research proposals, awards, or expenditures.

More Information: research.nd.edu/our-services/system-support

Contact: Research Business Intelligence Team

...get training on research administration?

Notre Dame Research offers extensive training opportunities with the goal of keeping Notre Dame researchers up-to-date with the latest information in order to remain competitive in the ever-changing research landscape.

In addition to training and educational opportunities, such as the signature certificate program in Research Administration, discussion forums, networking meetings, and print and online training materials are available.

More Information: research.nd.edu/our-services/training

Contact: Policy and Training team

...find relevant policies and guidelines related to research at the University?

Notre Dame Research maintains institutional information relating to research administration in an online resource library. For all University-level policies, please visit policy.nd.edu.

More Information: research.nd.edu/our-services/resource-library

Contact: Policy and Training Team

...learn more about Notre Dame Research in general?

Researchers at the University of Notre Dame are committed to advancing human understanding through research, scholarship, and creative endeavor in order to be a repository for knowledge and a powerful means for doing good in the world.

Notre Dame Research supports and encourages innovation in more than twenty core facilities and resources, as well as in a number of key areas of research, including cancer, environmental change, global health, and many more, with faculty finding their homes in one of the Notre Dame's seven colleges or schools.

For more information, please see or contact the following:

Website: research.nd.edu

Email: research@nd.edu

Twitter: @UNDResearch

Phone: +1 574.631.7432

Mail: Notre Dame Research, 317 Main Building, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN 46556 USA

...read additional frequently asked questions about conducting research at Notre Dame?

The Notre Dame Research website maintains a list of frequently asked questions on research administration, compliance, development, and more.

To view this Q&A series, please visit research.nd.edu/our-services/faqs.