Recent Policy Updates
View updates to the Stanford Research Policy Handbook.
Academic Authorship Update
Update to the original policy written in 1984 to clarify and affirm attribution of authorship, authorship order and communicating expectations, and resolution of authorship dispute.
Streamlined MOU Process: Reduced Administrative Burden and Clarified Responsibilities
Policy revised to create less administrative burden, allow faculty to sign simple MOUs where the template can be used, and clarifies that the MOU is between the unit and the external party.
Clinical Trials Clarification
Clarification sentence added for clinical trials: 'For industry-sponsored clinical trials, the off-campus assessment and eligibility for the clinical trial indirect cost rate is governed by RPH 13.3.1, which provides specific factors that must be met.'
Principal Investigator Eligibility and Criteria for Exceptions
Clarified PI eligibility criteria; updated approval processes for PI exceptions; expanded guidance on eligibility for certain internal and external awards; clarified roles and responsibilities for PI exceptions; aligned terminology and processes with current research administration practices; and other administrative changes for clarity.
Consulting and Other Outside Professional Activities by Members of the Academic Council and University Medical Line Faculty
Modifies use of the Stanford Rider to require providing the Rider to outside entities with written acknowledgement of receipt. Signatures on the Rider are optional.
Visiting Student Researchers
Edits throughout the document to align the policy with current processes for Visiting Student Researchers (VSRs). Updates clarify faculty and department responsibilities, appointment procedures, financial support options, and VSR rights and obligations. Outdated references, procedures, and internal links were reviewed and updated where necessary, and language was refined for consistency and clarity.
Change to Policy to remove foreign government funded organizations from exclusion
The service agreement policy is being changed to reflect the changes in RPH 15.2. We are removing the foreign government and foreign government funded organizations from the exclusions list. The review process will mirror the 15.2 case-by-case process and should be rarely used.
Indirect (F&A) Cost Waivers
Add foreign government and foreign government funded organizations to be eligible for indirect cost waivers. School of Medicine can approve their own IDC waiver requests without VPDoR approvals.
Use of Employees or Laboratory Personnel as Research Subjects
Removed dates from 1980s and just reference panel review; Slight wording changes
University Laboratory Animal Occupational Health Program
Updated description of Occ Health program and center and risk categories (EH&S helped with revisions); Removed irrelevant HSR link