Office of Regulatory & Research Compliance

Anyone may use ORRC’s Anonymous Reporting Form to report any concerns regarding research conducted at UAlbany.  

The Vice President for Research & Economic Development serves as UAlbany’s Research Integrity Officer (RIO), as outlined in the University’s Policy and Procedures on Misconduct in Research and Scholarship.

The Research Compliance Officer (RCO) is the Vice President’s designee and reports directly to the Vice President. The RCO works with various University committees, boards and offices to monitor specific areas of research compliance.  

Contact UAlbany’s Research Compliance Officer at [email protected] or 866-857-5459. Please visit our Staff Directory to contact other members of the ORRC team.

In recent months, the research landscape has experienced a notable surge in new regulations, guidance updates and compliance expectations across federal, state and institutional levels.  

From evolving data privacy requirements to enhanced oversight on foreign collaborations and human subjects protections, the pace and complexity of regulatory change have accelerated significantly.  

To help our research community stay informed and aligned, we’ve compiled a resource that outlines the most impactful new rules. This living document is designed to support researchers in navigating the shifting regulatory terrain with clarity and confidence. 

Please reach out to the team at [email protected] or 518-437-3850 with any questions or concerns.
 

General Updates

• Requirement to disclose participation in Malign Foreign Talent Recruitment Programs
• Procedures for providing, transferring or allowing access to bulk sensitive personal data
• Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct
   

Agency-specific Updates

• National Science Foundation (NSF)
  • Updates to NSF security policies
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • Security best practices for controlled-access genomic data
  • Requirement to train senior/key personnel on other support disclosure requirements
  • Public Access Policy (Access FAQs on the Public Access Policy.)

Each month, the Office of Regulatory and Research Compliance (ORRC) sends our email newsletter, Hot Topics, to all UAlbany faculty and staff members. 

Each issue provides an overview of a research compliance topic. Please review our Research Protections, Research Security and Research Training web content for detailed guidance.
 

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews all UAlbany research and teaching involving human subjects. 

Visit the Human Participants webpage to:

• Learn about how UAlbany reviews research with human subjects
• Determine if IRB approval is required
• Meet with IRB staff
• Obtain IRB review
• Arrange for an IRB Reliance Agreement
• Conduct research at UAlbany as an external investigator
• Report concerns 

Looking for a specific form?

• Get Started with Human Subjects Research
  • Human Subjects Research Screening Form
  • Instructions for Using PACS
  • PACS User Request Form
  • Worksheet on Engagement in Human Subjects Research
• Conduct New Research with Human Subjects
  • Faculty Advisor’s Statement
  • Informed Consent Worksheet & Templates
  • Human Subjects Research Protocols
  • Research at or with International Sites Form
  • Single IRB Review (IRB Reliance) Forms
  • Use of Experimental Equipment with Subjects Form
  • Use or Collection of Human Tissue or Biological Samples Form
  • Waiver or Alteration of Informed Consent
• Conduct Ongoing Research with Human Subjects
  • Change of PI Form
  • Closure Request Form
  • Continuation Request Form
  • Modification Request Form

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) review all UAlbany research involving the use of live vertebrate animals in research, teaching and/or training.

Visit the Care & Use of Animals webpage to:

• Learn about how UAlbany reviews the use of animals in research, teaching and training
• Meet with IACUC staff
• Meet with LAR staff
• Obtain IACUC review
• Order animals
• Report animal welfare concerns 

Looking for a specific form?

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) and Biosafety Officer implement and maintain a Biosafety Program to ensure that researchers, their staff, students and the community are not harmed or negatively impacted by University activities. 

Visit the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) webpage to:

• Learn about how UAlbany reviews biosafety protocols
• Access the Biosafety Manual
• Contact the IBC
• Determine if IBC approval is required
• Obtain IBC review
• Understand Principal Investigator responsibilities

Looking for a specific form? 

• IBC Protocol Evaluation Form
• Biohazardous Agent Reference Document (BARD) Templates
• NIH Review Categories for Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Research Form
• PI Self-assessment for Category 1 and/or Category 2 Research Designation

For additional information, please visit the Office of Environmental Health & Safety's Laboratory Safety webpage, which includes information on biosafety and laser, chemical and radiation safety.

Each year, investigators and senior/key personnel are required to disclosure their and their family members’ external financial interests and significant obligations to ensure research remains objective and ethical.

Visit the Disclosures webpage to:

• Understand University policies on conflicts of interest, including foreign talent recruitment programs
• Complete the annual disclosure process

Looking for a specific form?

• Disclosure Certification

Effectively managing research data involves establishing and following a plan for the systemic organization, storage and retrieval of data to ensure accuracy, accessibility and security.

Visit the Research Data Management webpage to:

• Access data management resources
• Complete required training
• Request a Data Use Agreement (DUA) review
• Understand the genomic data sharing process 

Looking for a specific form?

• Data Management Plan (DMP) Template

• DUA Initial Request Form

• DUA Signature Forms

• DUA Modification Request Form

Export controls regulate the transfer of items and information outside the United States. 

While most University and research activities do not require an export control license, there are times when a license or documentation of compliance with the regulations is required. 

Visit the Export Controls webpage to:

• Understand which activities require export controls
• Request an export controls review
• Access export controls education resources (training and templates) 

Looking for a specific form?

• Deemed Export License Determination Request
• Export Controls International Shipping Review Request Form
• Export License Exception (TMP) Traveler Certification
• Technology Control Plan (TCP) template

Working on a proposal involving other entities? Request a risk assessment and review of proposed engagement by contacting [email protected].

Our office’s Research Security team will work with you to gather information on the potential collaborator(s) and the scope of the proposed collaboration to identify potential risk and management methods.

If you believe a research security violation may have occurred, please report your concerns using one of these methods:

• Use ORRC’s Anonymous Reporting Form.
• Contact ORRC at [email protected] or 518-437-3850.
• Contact Director of Research Security Terrell D. Rabb at [email protected] or 518-949-1003.