The University must provide sponsors with certain assurances regarding every research project. These assurances generally involve areas of potential physical, psychological, financial or legal liability that the researcher, the sponsor, and/or the University may be subject to during the course of the research project and beyond. These assurances generally include the following:

Use of Animals in Research
Any research proposal which uses vertebrate animals, or tissue derived therefrom, must have the animal "protocol" approved by the University. This refers to the specific methodologies which describe how the animals will be used and maintained. Research involving animals must be approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).

Use of Human Subjects
The University must approve any research project involving the use of human subjects. The University must give assurances regarding research which involves both physical and psychological testing. This includes social data collection and analysis. Complete information regarding what is required concerning the use of human subjects in research can be acquired from the Institutional Review Board for Human Subjects at Ext. 6-6580.

Use of Infectious Agents or Other Biohazardous Materials
The University must examine and approve the handling, storage and disposal of any materials in this category. These approvals are obtained by contacting the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS).

Use of Radioactive Materials
The handling, use, storage and security of these materials must be registered with the OEHS.

Use of Recombinant DNA
As with "Infectious Agents", contact the OEHS.

Alterations, Renovations, and Additional Electrical or Steam Service
Any modification of laboratory or office space must be approved by the department chairperson and the appropriate dean before any information is conveyed to a potential sponsor. The alteration of space involves various levels of cost and has ramifications that could affect space allocations for an entire academic department.

Capital Equipment
First rate research often requires the acquisition of major equipment systems. However, the University is required by the Federal Government to avoid acquiring equipment that is duplicative or easily and conveniently available within a department. This inquiry, therefore, helps the University to determine equipment needs in those instances where it is disadvantageous to utilize existing equipment.

Conflict of Interest
Conflict of interest exists when external commitments made by University employees threaten or impair independent scholarly inquiry, compromise one's freedom of thought or action, or impede an employee's ability to capably perform the duties of his/her University position. To minimize the likelihood of such conflicts, the University, in accordance with federal regulations, has developed a "University Policy on Conflict of Interest and Conflict of Commitment" of which every employee pursuing external activities with income potential should be cognizant.

• Human Subjects
• Animals
• Conflict of Interest
• University and Federal Policy:
  • http://jhuresearch.jhu.edu/policies_&__regulations.htm
  • http://www.controller.jhu.edu/policies.htm
• Technology Transfer Office

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