NIH Actions and Oversight after Findings of Research Misconduct

When recipient institutions find, learn, or suspect that research misconduct has impacted or may impact ongoing NIH research, recipient institutions must work with NIH to assess the effect on the ability to continue the NIH project. Once the recipient institution makes findings of research misconduct involving NIH-supported research, NIH has a need to know, and the institution must immediately provide information on the affected research to the NIH. NIH may then work with the institution to determine what steps are necessary to ensure the integrity of ongoing research. This may involve enhanced supervision of the respondent by the institution, bilateral termination of affected award(s), or recovery of funds.  (see NIH Grants Policy Statement section 4.1.27).

Possible NIH Actions After a Research Misconduct Discovery

After the HHS Office of Research Integrity (ORI) has made a finding of research misconduct against an individual, NIH will help ensure the ORI-imposed actions are implemented. Such actions may include, but are not limited to:

• debarment from eligibility to be designated on institutions receiving Federal funds for grants and contracts
• prohibition from service on Public Health Service (PHS) advisory committees, peer review committees, or as consultants
• certification of information sources by the respondent that is forwarded by the institution
• certification of data by the institution
• imposition of supervision on the respondent by the institution
• submission of a correction of published articles by the respondent
• submission of a retraction of published articles by the respondent

Appeals Process

Individuals may appeal/contest a decision, as outlined in regulation and on the  ORI Hearings page.

NIH may also consider additional administrative actions when appropriate which may include bilateral termination of affected award(s), or recovery of funds from the recipient institution.