Research Compliance

Many research activities are governed by compliance regulations that ensure the ethical treatment of subjects, that health and safety concerns are addressed, and the activity meets legal obligations. The Office for Research Protections (ORP) oversees many of the compliance programs governing research at Penn State.

Office for Research Protections

Our Mission

  • Endorse a model for conducting outstanding research
  • Promote trust and respect among researchers, compliance committees, and the community
  • Facilitate a partnership of shared responsibility

You may be surprised to learn about the wide set of activities that fall under compliance that range from human subject research to flying drones. As a graduate student, you may need to gain approval for your research from one of the ORP programs. Pictured below you will see all the ORP programs with a brief description of each. Learn more about these programs on the ORP website Links to an external site.. Be aware! Obtaining approval for these activities is not optional. If you ever have questions about whether your research activities require approvals, talk to your research adviser, or give ORP a call – BEFORE you start your research.

 

Human Subjects Research

If you plan to do human subjects research, you must submit to the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Review our IRB Submission Basics video Links to an external site..

 

Animal Research

Those conducting animal research must submit to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Links to an external site..

 

Radioisotopes

Anyone utilizing radioactive materials must have University Isotopes Committee (UIC Links to an external site.) approval prior to beginning their research.

 

Regulated Biohazardous Materials

The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) Links to an external site. reviews research and teaching activities involving the use of materials that have the potential to pose a danger to the health and safety of the researchers and the community.

 

Unmanned Aircraft Systems

All personnel, including faculty, staff, wishing to operate Unmanned Aircraft Links to an external site. (i.e., drones) at Penn State must get appropriate approval, including Unmanned Aircraft operations.

 

Dive Safety
The Penn State Scientific Diving Program Links to an external site. supervises all compressed gas diving for scientific and educational purposes.