The chart below contains links to key research resources and support offices. Clicking on any of the research topics on the left or research support offices and subtopics on the right will open a new page that contains more information about the topic, including links to policies, systems, guides, and websites.
Academic and Research Integrity
The Office for Academic and Research Integrity is dedicated to advancing a culture of integrity and academic excellence at Harvard Medical School through assuring compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and ethical standards.
ARI Website: https://ari.hms.harvard.edu/
Animal Research:
This office serves the research community as a means to achieve quality animal research in support of the Institution’s commitment to improve human health, and provides support to the Harvard Medical Area Standing Committee on Animals, which works to ensure that animal research is held to the highest ethical standards and carried out in accordance with regulatory requirements.
IACUC Website: https://iacuc.hms.harvard.edu/
IACUC Policies: https://wiki.harvard.edu/confluence/x/tgvaE
IACUC Online Protocol Submission System: https://esupport.hms.harvard.edu/COMSIACUC/
Harvard Center for Comparative Medicine (HCCM)
HCCM provides animal husbandry and veterinary services to the faculty and staff of the Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and Harvard Institutes of Medicine.
HCCM Website: https://hccm.med.harvard.edu/home
HCCM Policies, Guidelines, and SOPs: https://hccm.med.harvard.edu/policies-procedures
HCCM Training: https://hccm.med.harvard.edu/training
Authorship:
Authorship is designed to provide appropriate credit for intellectual contributions and can be a source of personal satisfaction, prestige, and a stepping stone toward academic career advancement. In theory, assigning authorship is a straightforward process; however, in practice, it can sometimes produce painful disputes over authorship order and responsibilities.
Ombuds Website: https://harvardombuds.harvard.edu/resources/
Ombuds Recommended Best Practices for Determining Authorship: https://harvardombuds.harvard.edu/files/2022/06/SHR.Authorship.BestPractices.doc
Office for Academic and Research Integrity:
ARI Website: https://ari.hms.harvard.edu/academic-integrity/integrity-science-policies
ARI Authorship Guidelines: https://ari.hms.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/mcu761/files/authorship_guidelines.pdf
ARI Guidelines for Attribution of Credit and Disposition of Research Projects: https://ari.hms.harvard.edu/sites/g/files/mcu761/files/guidelines_for_attribution_of_credit_and_disposition_of_research_products.pdf
Controlled Substances:
Due to their potential for abuse, controlled substances are subject to extensive licensing, registration, storage, security, research use, disposal, and inventory requirements. You may not use or possess U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) controlled substances without a thorough understanding of the requirements. EH&S is available to assist laboratories in managing the use of controlled substances in research.
Controlled Substances Website: https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/programs/controlled-substances
Controlled Substances Researcher’s Guide: https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/controlled_substance_researchers_guide.pdf
Data Management:
The Longwood Medical Area Research Data Management Working Group (LMA RDMWG) formed in response to identified unmet needs in biomedical and biological research data management. The group endeavors to create solutions, provide guidance, and develop standards and best practices to meet those identified unmet needs and anticipate future needs of our researchers in this area.
Data Management Website: https://datamanagement.hms.harvard.edu/about-rdmwg
Data Management Policies and Compliance: https://datamanagement.hms.harvard.edu/plan-design/data-policies-and-compliance
Data Management Training: https://datamanagement.hms.harvard.edu/training-events/rdm-seminar-series
Data Security:
Information security at Harvard Medical School is managed through the partnership of School Security Officers and the HUIT Information Security group. Harvard University is committed to protecting the information that is critical to teaching, research, and the University’s many varied activities, our business operation, and the communities we support, including students, faculty, staff members, and the public.
IT Contact: itservicedesk@hms.harvard.edu, 617-432-2000.
Data Security Website: https://it.hms.harvard.edu/our-services/security
Data Security Policy: https://policy.security.harvard.edu/
Recommended Best Practices: https://it.hms.harvard.edu/our-services/information-security/recommendations
Data Use Agreements:
A Data Use Agreement (DUA) is a binding contract between organizations governing the transfer and use of data. The Office of Research Administration (ORA) is the authorized DUA signatory for HMS and help facilitate the entire DUA process while keeping Harvard researchers’ interests protected.
Website: https://datamanagement.hms.harvard.edu/plan/data-use-agreements
Agreements-DUA system: https://dua.harvard.edu/
HMS DUA Contact: SPAContracts@hms.harvard.edu
Environmental Health & Safety:
Environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) support Harvard University’s mission of teaching and research by promoting a culture of safety, health, environmental protection, and emergency preparedness.
EH&S Website: https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/
Chemical Safety: EH&S provides services designed to minimize the risks associated with the use of hazardous chemicals in research, teaching, and conservation laboratories; and laboratory support facilities.
Chemical Safety Website: https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/services/chemical-safety
Occupational Safety: Technical, management, and compliance information on the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and other agencies is provided to ensure for the safety of all University personnel.
Occupational Safety Website: https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/services/occupational-safety
Radiation Protection: EH&S is responsible for managing ionizing and non-ionizing radiation at Harvard. In addition, they provide safety training and guidance for those working with radiation, including lasers.
Radiation Website: https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/services/radiation-protection
Export Controls:
HMS investigators engage in a broad range of innovative research in the U.S. and abroad, including the sharing and development of products, goods, hardware, software, or materials, as well as research involving technology that may be subject to U.S. export control laws and regulations. The HMS Research Security Team within The Office of Research Administration (ORA) can be contacted to request a determination if any HMS research, travel, collaborations, shipments or hand-carry of goods, data and services are subject to export controls.
Export Control Website: https://research.harvard.edu/2021/04/19/export-controls-policies-and-procedures/
HMS Export Control Contact: International_Collaborations@hms.harvard.edu
Guide on International Research Project Planning: https://osp.finance.harvard.edu/files/osp/files/international_project_planning_considerations.pdf
Faculty Affairs:
The Office for Faculty Affairs manages the promotions and appointments processes of the Faculty of Medicine. We work with committees that address faculty concerns and serve as a resource for issues related to recruitment, promotion and career development. In collaboration with our hospital affiliates, we organize an annual leadership and fellowship program for junior faculty.
Faculty Affairs Website: https://fa.hms.harvard.edu/
Faculty Affairs Guides and Templates: https://fa.hms.harvard.edu/checklists-forms-guides-and-templates
Grant Finance:
Research Finance provides financial compliance services for HMS and HSDM departments to ensure that all direct charges to sponsored awards are allowable, allocable, reasonable and consistent.
Grant Finance Website: https://researchadmin.hms.harvard.edu/about-us/teams/research-finance
Grant Finance Guidance: https://osp.finance.harvard.edu/sponsored-expenditures-guidelines
Grants Management:
The Office of Research Administration (ORA) provides pre- and post-award management by assisting Principal Investigators and staff with proposal submission, award administration, and reporting.
Grant Management Website: https://researchadmin.hms.harvard.edu/
Grant Management Business Processes: https://researchadmin.hms.harvard.edu/policies-guidance/business-processes
Proposal Submission:
Grants Management Application Suite (GMAS): http://www.gmas.harvard.edu/
The Pre-Award Team supports HMS and HSDM Principal Investigators (PIs) and Grant Managers (GMs) as they prepare proposals for submission to external funding sources (sponsors).
Pre-Award Website: https://researchadmin.hms.harvard.edu/about-us/teams/pre-award-team
Negotiation:
The Grants & Contracts Team services include reviewing, negotiating and signing incoming award documents, reviewing and submitting requests for sponsor prior approval, coordinating set-up and maintenance of award accounts, drafting, negotiating, and signing research agreements, such as data use agreements, and assisting with administrative parts of award close-out.
Grants & Contracts Website: https://researchadmin.hms.harvard.edu/about-us/teams/grants-contracts-team
Awards Management:
The Awards Management Team sets up and maintains sponsored accounts in GMAS, reviews, sets up, and maintains NIH awards, drafts and signs most outgoing subawards and amendments, and reviews and signs incoming and outgoing Billing Agreements
Awards Management Website: https://researchadmin.hms.harvard.edu/about-us/teams/awards-management-team
Human Resources:
The Office of Human Resources provides services to the community to support the Core Commitments of Harvard Medical School. These Commitments include innovation in education, scientific discovery and integrity, diversity and professional development, and service to humanity.
HR Website: https://hr.hms.harvard.edu/
HR Policies and Procedures: https://hr.hms.harvard.edu/working-hms/policies-procedures
HR Onboarding: https://hr.hms.harvard.edu/managing-hms/onboarding-new-hires
HR Offboarding: https://hr.hms.harvard.edu/managing-hms/staff-departures
Human Subjects Research:
The Harvard Longwood Campus Institutional Review Board (HLC IRB) is responsible for the review and oversight of human research conducted by faculty, staff, and students of Harvard Medical School, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
IRB Website: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/regulatory-affairs-and-research-compliance/hlc-irb/
IRB Online Protocol Submission System: https://irb.harvard.edu/
IRB Investigator Manual: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/regulatory-affairs-and-research-compliance/investigator-manual/
The Harvard Longwood Campus Quality Improvement Program (HLC QIP) is responsible for ensuring, assessing, and facilitating both investigator and IRB compliance; providing ongoing education and training; and offering human research support services to the HLC research community.
QIP Website: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/regulatory-affairs-and-research-compliance/hlc-qip/
International Research:
Investigators who conduct research outside the United States may encounter regulations and policies different than those that govern research in the U. S. Regulations may differ in the areas of human subjects, taxation, employment, real estate, licensing, or other matters.
HMS website: https://researchadmin.hms.harvard.edu/about-us/teams/about-us
HMS Contact: International_Collaborations@hms.harvard.edu
OVPR website: https://research.harvard.edu/2021/05/18/international-projects-and-collaboration/
International Research Project Planning Guide: https://osp.finance.harvard.edu/files/osp/files/international_project_planning_considerations.pdf
Harvard International Office (HIO)
HIO provides information on a wide range of topics, including immigration issues (work permits, travel), financial questions, adjustment to life in the United States (U.S.), and resources at Harvard and in the community.
HIO website: https://www.hio.harvard.edu/
HIO forms: https://www.hio.harvard.edu/forms
HIO travel information: https://www.hio.harvard.edu/travel
HIO contact: internationaloffice@harvard.edu
Office of the General Counsel (OGC)
The OGC is responsible for all the legal work arising from the activities of Harvard’s Faculties and departments.
OGC Website: https://ogc.harvard.edu/
OGC Model Documents: https://ogc.harvard.edu/pages/model-documents
OGC Copyright and Fair Use Resources: https://ogc.harvard.edu/pages/copyright-and-fair-use
OGC FAQs: https://ogc.harvard.edu/book/faqs
Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR)
The OVPR reviews, develops, and implements Harvard’s research-related policies, as well as the organization and execution of academic research, especially in the sciences.
OVPR Website: https://research.harvard.edu/
OVPR Research Policies and Compliance: https://research.harvard.edu/research-policies-compliance/
Outside Activities/Conflicts of Interest:
The Office for Academic and Research Integrity (ARI) provides oversight to faculty outside activities as it implements and advises members of the Faculty of Medicine on the Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy. Oversight includes the annual collection and review of faculty outside activity disclosures, review of research proposals for conflicts of interest, and at times managing potential conflicts of interest pursuant to a formal management plan.
If you have questions or concerns about faculty outside activities please contact the team at outside_activities@hms.harvard.edu.
Outside Activities Website: https://ari.hms.harvard.edu/outside-activities
Outside Activities Online Reporting System: https://oair.harvard.edu/
Outside Activities Policies: https://ari.hms.harvard.edu/outside-activities/faculty-medicine-coi-policy
Professional Integrity:
The Office for Academic and Research Integrity (ARI) is committed to serving the HMS/HSDM community in promoting best practices and standards of professional conduct and supporting grievance processes in accordance with established professional integrity policies.
Professional Integrity Contact:keri_godin@hms.harvard.edu.
Professional Integrity Website: https://ari.hms.harvard.edu/professional-integrity
Professional Integrity Policies: https://ari.hms.harvard.edu/professional-integrity/policies
Research Core Facilities:
Research Core Facilities provide access to highly specialized services, equipment, and staff that would otherwise be too expensive for an individual laboratory to support. Policies regarding services, access, fees and prioritization vary by core and by institution. Please contact each core facility or resource directly for more information.
Research Cores Website: https://corefacilities.hms.harvard.edu/
Research Integrity & Misconduct:
The Office for Academic and Research Integrity (ARI) takes the administrative lead in responding to any allegation of research misconduct involving an HMS or HSDM faculty member or trainee. In accordance with the HMS Principles and Procedures for Dealing with Allegations of Faculty Misconduct, ARI also convenes and provides support to faculty panels appointed to review allegations of research misconduct.
ARI also disseminates guidelines for research integrity.
Research Integrity Website: https://ari.hms.harvard.edu/academic-integrity
Research Integrity Policies: https://ari.hms.harvard.edu/academic-integrity/integrity-science-policies
Research Involving Biological Materials:
The Office of Biological Safety facilitates the Committee on Microbiological Safety (COMS). COMS is a standing faculty committee that reviews all research involving recombinant DNA as well as work involving biohazards at Harvard and its 16 affiliated institutions.
COMS Website and Policies: https://hms.harvard.edu/departments/committee-microbiological-safety
COMS Protocol Submission System: https://esupport.hms.harvard.edu/COMSIACUC
Research Rigor & Reproducibility (R3):
HMS is committed to identifying, exploring, and supporting Rigor, Reproducibility, and Responsibility (R3) principles relevant to our research community through cross-discipline conversations and collaborations.
R3 Website: https://ari.hms.harvard.edu/hms-r3-community
Responsible Conduct of Research:
The Center for Bioethics’ Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Course is primarily restricted to post doctoral trainees working within Quad-based, Harvard Medical Schoolfaculty laboratories. This course is meant to provide an opportunity to openly and critically reflect with your peers and others about what responsibility and integrity should mean to the professional scientific community.
HMS RCR Website: https://bioethics.hms.harvard.edu/education/responsible-conduct-research
Harvard Chan School or other Harvard Catalyst institution affiliates, including, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and junior faculty members will be allowed to take the course without paying tuition (if not taking this course for credit).
HSPH RCR Website: https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/regulatory-affairs-and-research-compliance/responsible-conduct-of-research-rcr/
The Harvard University RCR course is open to all Harvard-affiliated researchers and research staff, offered two times a year (January and August). RCR is a highly recommended “best practices” course for those desiring to deepen their knowledge of ethical research and responsible conduct.
HU RCR Website: https://research.fas.harvard.edu/responsible-conduct-research-course
Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct:
HMS has committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which no member of the Harvard community is discriminated against based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity by exclusion from participation, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination from any University program or activity.
HR Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct Website: https://hr.hms.harvard.edu/working-hms/policies-procedures/sexual-harassment-other-sexual-misconduct
HU Sextual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct Policies and Procedures: https://oge.harvard.edu/policies-procedures
ARI Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct Website: https://ari.hms.harvard.edu/professional-integrity/sexual-harassment-other-sexual-misconduct
Shipping:
EH&S assists laboratory researchers to manage shipments and transportation of dangerous goods, including chemicals, radioactive materials, and biological materials, by ground, air, or sea, in order to comply with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, International Airline Transportation Association (IATA) guidelines and/or Maritime law.
Shipping Website: https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/programs/shipping-transporting-research-materials
Research Material Shipment & Transport Manual: https://www.ehs.harvard.edu/sites/default/files/research_material_shipment_transport_manual.pdf
The HMS Research Security Team within The Office of Research Administration (ORA) can be contacted to request a determination if any HMS shipments or hand-carry of goods are subject to export controls.
HMS Contact: International_Collaborations@hms.harvard.edu
Technology Development:
The Office of Technology Development (OTD) promotes the public good by advancing science, fostering innovation, and translating new inventions made at Harvard University into useful products that are available and beneficial to society.
OTD Website: https://otd.harvard.edu/about-otd/
Intellectual Property: The first critical step to commercializing an invention is to report it to OTD in advance of any public disclosure. The OTD team will then work to ensure the intellectual property (IP) is protected and managed according to Harvard's IP Policy. Proper stewardship ensures your invention may be developed to its fullest capacity.
IP Website: https://otd.harvard.edu/faculty-inventors/protecting-intellectual-property/
IP Policies and Procedures: https://otd.harvard.edu/faculty-inventors/resources/policies-and-procedures/statement-of-policy-in-regard-to-intellectual-property/
Material Transfer Agreements (MTAs): MTAs specify the rights, obligations, and restrictions of both the providing and receiving parties with respect to issues such as ownership, publication, intellectual property and permitted use and liability.
MTA Website: https://otd.harvard.edu/faculty-inventors/resources/material-transfer-agreements