Research integrity

The high integrity of research supported by UKRI makes it trustworthy and trusted. High integrity is the product of responsible research practices and a culture and environment that promotes them. We are both refining our own policies and guidance in this area, and setting up the national research integrity committee.

Key principles

High research integrity means upholding the values of honesty, rigour, transparency and open communication, care and respect for those involved in research. It supports accountability for a positive research environment, as encapsulated by the research integrity concordat (PDF, 375KB).  The policies and guidance outlined below explain how these principles should be interpreted in the research we support.

Legislation and related guidance

Promoting good practice and preventing misconduct

Research Information Network: Acknowledgement of funders in scholarly journal articles (PDF, 70KB)
Guidance for UK research funders, authors and publishers

General policies and guidance

UKRI policies

UKRI policy and guidelines on governance of good research conduct (PDF, 295KB)

UKRI policy and guidelines on the governance of good research conduct – frequently asked questions (PDF, 261KB)

This policy and set of guidelines continue to apply for AHRC, BBSRC, EPSRC, ESRC, MRC, NERC and STFC investments until further notice. They cover the promotion of good research conduct, including: good conduct in peer review; the need for appropriate training and development; what constitutes unacceptable research conduct; and the investigation and reporting of unacceptable research conduct. They are part of the terms and conditions for Research Council training and full economic costing grants.

Other guidance

Reproducibility and the conduct of research – possible strategies

Research councils' policies and guidance

Research England’s terms and conditions of grant (PDF, 245KB)

Institutions eligible to receive research funding from Research England must implement the concordat as it is a condition of receiving funds. Further information on supporting research integrity is available on the Research England website.

Research Council investigating allegations of research misconduct in research policy (PDF, 130KB)

Managing the risks of research misuse

BBSRC – safeguarding of good scientific practice (PDF, 350KB)

Research council guidance for applicants on declaring interests (PDF, 136KB)

MRC – guidance on declaring interests (PDF, 200KB)

Concordats

The concordat to support research integrity (PDF, 375KB)

The revised 2019 concordat outlines a set of high-level expectations on researchers, employers and funders, underpinning the principles outlined above. We expect the research organisations we fund to implement the concordat.