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Guide to Research at USC

Download the 2007-08 Guide to Research

The Guide has been developed by the Office of Compliance and the Office of Research Advancement as a ready reference on university processes for: (1) proposal submission, (2) account establishment, (3) research management, (4) closeout, and (5) research education. Please print and save a copy as a reference for your research related questions.

Sponsored Research Ethics and Compliance

At the University of Southern California, ethical behavior is predicated on two main pillars: A commitment to discharging our obligations to others in a fair and honest manner, and a commitment to respecting the rights and dignity of all persons. Ethical responsibilities of members of the the university community are detailed in the USC Code of Ethics.

Further information to assist researchers in addressing compliance issues can be obtained from the USC Office of Compliance and its staffed telephone system, Compliance Hotline.

Sponsored Research Policies and Forms

Documents and forms relating to USC policies for proposal preparation and submission, and compliance with research protocols, can be found on the Department of Contracts and Grants website. A comprehensive list of USC policies is maintained at the University Policies site.

Proposal Approval Records

A Proposal Approval Record (PAR) is required for all sponsored research applications by USC investigators. Information about PARs can be obtained from the Department of Contracts and Grants.

Authorized school-designated signers for PARs: PARs require the signature of the investigator's dean; many other grant application forms do as well. However, deans may not be available on short notice, so many schools and divisions at USC have designated at least one other individual who is authorized to sign on behalf of the dean. The list of authorized dean's signature designees can be found here.

USC's Sponsored Projects Manual provides a step-by-step guide to the extramural funding process at USC, offering directions for the proposal, application, administration, and closing phases of sponsored research within the university:

Foundation Clearances

Investigators who are planning to submit a request for funding to a foundation or other philanthropic organization must notify the University Advancement Office of Foundation Relations, and determine whether an official clearance from is required from Foundation RelationsVisit Site.

Research Ethics and Responsibility

Research ethics and responsibility are addressed through a number of compliance policies, including:

• Office for the Protection of Research Subjects
• University Park Campus Institutional Review Board
• Health Sciences Campus Institutional Review Board
• Laboratory, Radiation and Bio-safety
• Animal Resources
• Statement of Outside Interests Related To Research
• Conflict of Interest in Research: Policy and Procedure
• Conflict of Interest and Ethics: Policy and Prodedure
• Intellectual Property Policy

Last updated: Thursday, July 17, 2008, 1:33pm PDT