Requirements for certain types of research

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Applicants’ role
Institutions’ role
NSERC’s role
Research involving human pluripotent and/or iotipotent stem cells
Research requiring environmental review or assessment
Research involving the use of animals or biohazards
Research involving the use of controlled goods or information

Applicants’ role

NSERC requires applicants and grant/award holders to comply with the Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR Framework).

Section 2.4 of the Framework sets out the Agencies’ requirements for certain types of research as follows:

Researchers must comply with all applicable Agency requirements and legislation for the conduct of research, including, but not limited to:

2nd edition of Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2);
Canadian Council on Animal Care Policies and Guidelines;
Agency policies related to the Impact Assessment Act;
Licenses for research in the field;
Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines;
Controlled Goods Program;
Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) Regulations; and
Canada's Food and Drugs Act.
Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (science.gc.ca).

As stated in the Terms and Conditions for NSERC grants/awards, grant/award holders must promptly advise NSERC and institutional authorities if, during the course of a grant or award, the nature of the research activities change substantially such that the activities may require review and approval.

Institutions’ role

For details on the role of institutions related to requirements for certain types of research, consult the Agreement on the Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions (Institutional Agreement).

NSERC’s role

Through the Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research, allegations of breaches of Agency policies are received and reviewed in accordance with the RCR Framework. NSERC monitors adherence to the Institutional Agreement as part of its regular monitoring reviews.

In addition, NSERC will review research involving either the use of human pluripotent and/or totipotent stem cells or certain types of activities (either on federal lands or outside of Canada). NSERC will release funds to the institution only after it has concluded that the research activities are acceptable under either Chapter 12, Section F of the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2), or the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), as appropriate. NSERC is also responsible for complying with the laws and regulations governing controlled goods and information.

Research involving human pluripotent and/or totipotent stem cells

NSERC applications involving the use of human pluripotent and/or totipotent stem cell that are conditionally approved for funding will be forwarded to the Stem Cell Oversight Committee (SCOC) of CIHR. This will supplement the normal review by local Research Ethics Boards (REBs).

A list of Frequently Asked Questions is posted on the CIHR website.

Research requiring environmental review or assessment

The Impact Assessment Form (Appendix A) may be required. For more information, consult NSERC’s Guidelines on Impact Assessment.

Research involving the use of animals or biohazards

“Animal” is defined in the Institutional Agreement as a vertebrate or a cephalopod. NSERC collects information on the use of animals and biohazards in research projects for information only; questions regarding certification requirements in these areas should be directed to the Institution.

Research involving the use of controlled goods or information

Some research in the natural sciences and engineering may be subject to export controls administered by Global Affairs Canada. Applications for funding may not contain controlled information. For more information, see the Policy on Research Involving Controlled Goods and Information.