1. Policy
Issued: 11/12/2025
Last Revised: New
Last Reviewed: New
2. Policy Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure USC research is conducted with integrity, accountability, and in accordance with regulatory and institutional requirements through the establishment of a university policy framework to implement the standards and expectations contained in USC’s Guide to Research.
3. Scope
The policy applies to and encompasses all research activities conducted at USC and its subsidiaries, ensuring that faculty, staff, and students operate within a framework of ethical conduct, transparency, and regulatory compliance. It applies to every stage of the research process, including proposal development, award management, data collection, reporting, and project closeout. This policy serves as the foundation for responsible research practices as outlined in the USC Guide to Research, which acts as a comprehensive resource for the USC research community, offering practical instructions and tools to help researchers fulfill their responsibilities, mitigate risks, and comply with both institutional policies and external regulations.
There may be additional university policies that govern particular research activities. This policy and the Guide to Research are not intended to replace other university policies, but to supplement them by providing a comprehensive overview of the key compliance requirements associated with the most common financial and non-financial activities related to research.
4. Definitions
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| USC Guide to Research | The USC Guide to Research is a reference tool that highlights some of the most important USC policies and procedures related to sponsored projects. |
| Affiliated Personnel | Affiliated Personnel include persons who are not employed by USC but are engaged in support of research activity taking place at USC, including independent contractors, adjuncts, volunteers, lecturers, and any other non-employee engaged to support research taking place at USC and its subsidiaries. |
5. Policy Details
All USC employees, students, and affiliated personnel must adhere to the USC Guide to Research. It contains procedures and resources to assist researchers in navigating compliance requirements. All impacted audiences must thoroughly understand it to ensure that USC adheres to ethical standards, regulatory requirements, and institutional commitments. The Guide to Research applies to all stages of research activity, from proposal preparation to project closeout.
6. Procedures
See USC Guide to Research.
7. Forms
N/A
8. Responsibilities
| POSITION or OFFICE | RESPONSIBILITIES |
|---|---|
| Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC) | In partnership with the Office of Research and Innovation, the Office of Ethics and Compliance issues the Guide to Research and acts as a key resource in navigating its requirements. |
| Office of Research and Innovation | In partnership with the Office of Ethics and Compliance, the Office of Research and Innovation issues the Guide to Research and acts as a key resource in navigating its requirements. |
| Researchers | All USC employees who propose, conduct, or oversee sponsored research at USC must adhere to the provisions of the Guide to Research and any related or additional USC policy that governs a particular research activity. |
| Staff | All USC staff who support the proposal, conduct, or oversight of sponsored research at USC must adhere to the provisions of the Guide to Research and any related or additional USC policy that governs a particular research activity. |
| Student | All USC students who either conduct or support the proposal, conduct, or oversight of sponsored research at USC must adhere to the provisions of the Guide to Research and any related or additional USC policy that governs a particular research activity. |
| USC Employees | USC Employees include faculty (including part-time and visiting faculty), postdoctoral scholars, staff, and students (including graduate/undergraduate student workers and graduate assistants) employed by the University of Southern California and its subsidiaries, including the USC Health System and its subsidiaries (“USC Employees”). |
9. Related Information
Other USC Research-related policies
10. Contacts
Please direct any questions regarding this policy to:
| OFFICE | PHONE | |
|---|---|---|
| Office of Ethics and Compliance | (213) 740-8258 | compliance@usc.edu |