August 2026 Newsletter
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Stay up-to-date with the latest news and resources from the Office of Research Protections (ORP)
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New Authorship Dispute Committee
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To assist University members in resolving authorship concerns, the Senior Vice Chancellor for Research has established an Authorship Dispute Committee.
The committee is intended for use after informal efforts to resolve an authorship disagreement have been exhausted. Authors are required to first attempt to resolve the disagreement directly among the parties involved, as well as with the aid of a mediator such as a department chair. In addition, adherence to established best practices in authorship can help prevent disputes from arising in the first place.
Both the recommended best practices and the process for engaging the Authorship Dispute Committee are described on ORP's website.
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The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has issued a new government-wide policy directing federal funding agencies to strengthen oversight of certain high-risk areas of life sciences research: the U.S. Government Policy for Stopping High-Risk Life Sciences Research. Separately, the National Institutes of Health has released draft biosafety guidance for public comment, which would eventually replace NIH's longstanding Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid
Molecules.
This COGR infographic breaks down the core components of the new policy.
Because implementation guidance has not been finalized, the precise effect on University biosafety policies is not yet clear. It is evident, however, that new federal requirements are forthcoming. Depending on how these policies are finalized, they are likely to reshape institutional oversight in several ways—including more rigorous Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) review of higher-risk work, changes to the scope of research subject to IBC review, new limits on certain life sciences collaborations, and expanded reporting to federal agencies.
We will continue to monitor these developments and will update the research community as the federal requirements are finalized and institutional policies are adjusted accordingly.
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President Trump's Executive Order 14300, "Ordering the Reform of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission," directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to review its regulations to streamline nuclear licensing and reduce regulatory burdens.
Proposals under consideration include modernizing requirements for the medical use of radioactive materials, streamlining licensing for certain byproduct materials, and revising the NRC's radiation protection standards. This proposal is the most significant review of these standards in decades: it reconsiders current radiation dose limits and the ALARA ("as low as reasonably achievable") principle, and any resulting changes could affect medical use, occupational and public dose limits, and radioactive waste and transportation.
Because Pennsylvania is an NRC Agreement State, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection—not the NRC—directly regulates most academic and medical uses of radioactive materials at Pitt and UPMC, so federal changes would not take effect automatically.
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AAHRPP Site Visit Highlights Strengths of Pitt's Human Research Protection Program
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The University's Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) hosted a site visit on August 4-5 as part of its reaccreditation by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP).
In its draft report, AAHRPP highlighted several strengths, including Pitt’s streamlined approach to coordinating required reviews. Reviewers noted that the centralized process helps researchers navigate requirements efficiently and consistently.
The report also recognized the Office of Research Protections for providing comprehensive support, including assistance with investigator-initiated studies, institutional certifications, honest broker services and ClinicalTrials.gov registration and reporting.
Additional strengths included knowledgeable IRB leadership and staff, accessible policies and resources, and a thorough pre-review process that helps resolve issues before studies reach the convened IRB.
AAHRPP’s final accreditation determination is pending. The positive findings reflect Pitt’s continued commitment to protecting research participants and supporting the research community.
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NIH has released new guidance — NOT-OD-26-097, "Supporting a Safe and Respectful Workplace at Institutions that Receive NIH Funding," reiterating the responsibilities of recipient institutions with respect to harassment, bullying, retaliation, and hostile working conditions.
The notice reaffirms a longstanding requirement: institutions must notify NIH when senior/key personnel named on an NIH award are removed from their position or otherwise disciplined due to concerns about harassment, bullying, retaliation, or hostile working conditions. This obligation has been in place since 2020, with notification submitted by the Authorized Organization Representative within 30 days through NIH's dedicated web form.
Beyond restating that requirement, the guidance signals two developments taking effect in FY2026. First, recipients should expect that NIH will decline the transfer of an ongoing extramural award to a different institution when concerns about harassment, hostile work environment, or other professional misconduct have not been resolved to NIH's satisfaction. Second, going forward NIH will share investigation reports, conclusions, and the results of any investigation related to harassment, bullying, retaliation, or hostile working conditions with any institution that subsequently receives that award.
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New Guidance for Foreign Engagement in Federally Funded Research
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Keeping up with federal funding agency policies on international research can feel like a moving target these days. Because these policies are continually shifting, it is important to stay clear on when foreign activities, relationships, or collaborations require agency disclosure and prior approval, or if certain partnerships are off-limits.
A new webpage from Pitt’s Office of Research Security and Trade Compliance, “Foreign Engagement in Federally Funded Research,” brings essential guidance together in one place. It addresses common questions about working with colleagues outside the United States, including what qualifies as a foreign component, when international travel or collaborations may require prior approval, what information must be disclosed, and what researchers should consider before sharing data or materials.
Explore the Foreign Engagement Guidance
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Upcoming ORP Webinar
Foreign Engagement — What You Need to Know Now
As requirements related to foreign engagement continue to evolve, stay informed by attending ORP’s upcoming webinar.
The session will provide an overview of key considerations and resources to help support compliant and responsible research while engaging with foreign collaborators.
Friday, Sept. 11 | Noon
Speakers
Allen DiPalma, Executive Director of Research Security and Trade Compliance
Bill Yates, PhD, Vice Chancellor for Research Protections
Have a question ahead of time? Submit it in advance and we’ll address it during the session.
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International Travel for Graduate and Doctoral Students
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Graduate and doctoral students planning international travel should discuss their plans with their department before departure — especially if they hold a University appointment, conduct research, or expect to continue academic or University-related activities while abroad.
Obtain any required departmental and/or Dean-level approval before you travel. Do not assume you may continue working remotely from another country if your return to the United States is delayed. International remote work and research activities generally require review by several offices, including Global Operations and the Office of Trade Compliance and Research Security. To request these reviews, complete the International Activity Form. The reviews help identify and address considerations related to your appointment, funding, research activities, access to University systems or data, export controls, and the country from which you would perform the work. Depending on the
circumstances, additional departmental or University approvals may also apply.
Students traveling internationally to renew a visa should also plan for the possibility of extended or administrative processing. Visa delays can keep you outside the United States longer than you originally anticipated. A delayed return may affect your ability to begin or continue a University appointment, work remotely, conduct research, access University resources, or receive compensation.
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Start early. Begin this process as soon as possible to allow sufficient time for required reviews and approvals.
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The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) will soon begin its semiannual visits to animal facilities and laboratories where animals are used in research, as required by federal policies and regulations.
These visits provide investigators with an opportunity to ask questions about Pitt’s animal care and use program. Investigators are encouraged to view the reviews as a collaborative exchange of information and an opportunity to receive practical guidance on maintaining regulatory compliance and following best practices in animal research.
This video offers guidance on preparing for a review of your IACUC-approved spaces and animal-related activities.
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Currently, a completed CITI COI Training Table is required for all types of sponsored program awards and fee-for-service agreements. This form is used to identify investigators who are required to comply with conflict of interest (COI) requirements.
Starting September 1, 2026, the CITI COI Training Table will no longer be used. To simplify the process while still ensuring we adhere to University policy and, when applicable, federal agency requirements, Senior/Key Personnel who are already listed on the funding proposal in MyFunding will be required to comply with COI requirements. This includes COI training and disclosing in MyDisclosures.
To help facilitate this change, Principal Investigators and department administrators must make sure they are listing all known project personnel on funding proposals in MyFunding and flagging personnel who are Senior/Key and making necessary updates at award and amendment/modification stages.
If you have any questions, please contact the Conflict of Interest Division at coi@pitt.edu.
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