Policies and Guidance

Using SciENcv for NSF Biosketches and Current and Pending Support - Frequently Asked Questions

A guidance and resource document that outlines how to access SciENcv, create and manage documents, and delegate access to someone assisting a PI with a proposal.

Export License Review and Approval Policy

Export Control Administrators are responsible for making export licensure determinations on items being sent or hand-carried abroad, as well as on individuals and entities with which the university works, in consultation with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (“OVPR”). All proposed... Read more about Export License Review and Approval Policy

Guidelines on Authorship and Acknowledgement

Determining authorship is an important component of upholding the integrity of the research and scholarly enterprise and serves as an explicit way of assigning responsibility and giving credit for intellectual work. Only by honestly reflecting the contribution of all members of the research team can there be sustained growth in the discipline and proper credit directed to scholars for their efforts.... Read more about Guidelines on Authorship and Acknowledgement

Faculty Disclosure Resources

In response to federal funding agencies and congressional committees expressing concern regarding certain activities that threaten the integrity of the U.S. research enterprise, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research has collected and collated updated guidance for Harvard Researchers in... Read more about Faculty Disclosure Resources

Responsibilities for Disclosure Requirements Related to Federally-Funded Research

Guidance on requirements for reporting outside interests, support, and activities.

PI Eligibility

Important Update to the PI Eligibility Guidelines:

Effective July 6, 2020, individuals who are automatically granted continuous or limited PI Rights (see PI Eligibility on a Continuing Basis and PI Eligibility with Limitations on the PI Eligibility policy page) who have not already taken the FAS and SEAS Update for Faculty and Principal Investigators on-line course in the Harvard Training Portal must take the course prior to the submission of new or competitive renewal proposals, the acceptance of new or competitive renewal awards, or the establishment of new at-risk accounts by OSP.

Individuals who wish to apply for exceptional PI Rights are required to take the FAS and SEAS Update for Faculty and Principal Investigators on-line course in the Harvard Training Portal before submitting a completed PI Rights Questionnaire to their FAS divisional dean or SEAS dean for consideration. Please be advised that a Harvard University ID (HUID) is needed to access the Harvard Training Portal. Once the course has been successfully completed, a certificate of completion will be generated, and a copy of that certificate must accompany the PI Rights form.

... Read more about PI Eligibility

Freedom of Information Act

Faculty or departments may receive Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests from a federal agency. Upon receipt of a written FOIA request, federal agencies are required to release the requested information unless it falls under one of nine exemptions listed in the Act.

Funded grant proposals and related information are included within the scope of information that can be requested through the FOIA process. These requests are typically labeled very clearly as “FOIA” and are...

Supplementing Stipends

Refer to the documents on this page for an outline of best practices approach for FAS and SEAS regarding questions around supplementing stipends or setting up a secondary appointment for work performed on sponsored awards as well as for a flow chart for determining whether a stipened should be supplemented.... Read more about Supplementing Stipends

Policies Relating to Research and Other Professional Activities Within and Outside the University

With the acceptance of a full-time appointment in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, an individual makes a commitment to the University that is understood to be full-time in the most inclusive sense. Every member is expected to accord the University his or her primary professional loyalty, and to arrange outside obligations, financial interests, and activities so as not to conflict or interfere with this overriding... Read more about Policies Relating to Research and Other Professional Activities Within and Outside the University

Principles Governing Commercial Activities: Statement of Principles

Principles governing commercial activities of Harvard University, with application to partnerships between the University and outside organizations

Statement of Policies and Procedures Governing the Use of Human Subjects in Research at Harvard University

Harvard University is guided by the ethical principles regarding research involving human subjects set forth in the report of the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research... Read more about Statement of Policies and Procedures Governing the Use of Human Subjects in Research at Harvard University

FAS Supplemental Salary Payment Policy

Effective July 1, 2015, FAS will change the policy on faculty supplemental salary to simplify the process for faculty and administrators.... Read more about FAS Supplemental Salary Payment Policy

Fellowship Payments and Reimbursements for Students and Non-employee Postdocs/Fellows

This policy is intended to clarify when payments to fellows should be treated as gross income, as qualified payments for tuition or fees for a degree program, or as reimbursements for bona fide University business expenses that the individual incurred on Harvard’s behalf.

Principles Governing Research at Harvard

In 1974, a Report of a Committee on Criteria for Acceptance of Sponsored Research in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences was presented to the Faculty. It consisted of a preamble, a set of principles governing the conduct of research, and commentary on these principles. Only the (italicized)...

Stipulations Regarding Research Appointments Within the Faculty and Affiliated Institutions

Voted by the President and Fellows of Harvard College, March 17, 1980 and amended on March 13, 2000, April 20, 2004, and December 2012 (superseding vote of September 14, 1964 and amendments thereafter).

Each professional research position shall be categorized as belonging...

FAS Research Administration Services