The Institutional Review Board is an independent administrative body established to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects; the IRB ensures compliance with federal requirements related to protection of human research subjects (45 CFR 46.111).

Dr. Erik Tracy, IRB Chair

Phone: 910.775.4512

Email: erik.tracy@uncp.edu

Click for more information about IRB.

To determine if you need IRB approval, view the IRB Decision Tree below.

The IACUC ensures that UNCP is in compliance with the Public Health Policy on Human Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. The IACUC reviews and approves protocols for individuals at UNCP who are using vertebrate animals in teaching and research. It also conducts inspections of facilities to ensure that animals are treated humanely and safely and that work environments remain safe for personnel involved in animal care and use. The federal Animal Welfare Act (9 CFR Ch. 1 Subpart C 2.31 (c) (1-8)) requires universities to have an IACUC. UNCP's IACUC follows the protocols of the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Section IV.B. (1-8)), and the recommendations and standards of the National Research Council of the National Academies' Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (8th edition).

Dr. John Roe, IACUC Chair

Phone: 910.775.4081

Email: john.roe@uncp.edu

Click for more information about IACUC.

Implementing and exercising RCR practices and procedures is crucial to maintaining standards of objectivity and achieving unbiased research results, which in turn safeguards the public’s trust in the research community’s efforts.

The National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and most recently the USDA/National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requires institutions have a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in RCR to undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers participating in sponsor supported projects.

Although the requirements differ slightly, the end result is the same:  students participating in NSF-funded projects; students participating in NIH-funded projects with a training component; and students, faculty and research staff participating in NIFA-funded projects must complete RCR training. RCR Training is available thought CITI at www.citiprogram.org.

Export control regulations are federal laws governing the export, transfer or sharing of certain commodities or information for reasons of national security or protections of trade. Export controls may arise for one or more of the following reasons:

1. The nature of the export has a military application or economic protection issues, or
2. There are governmental concerns about the country, organization or individual receiving the information or technology, or
3. The end use or the end user of the export are of concern.

Most of the research and education activities taking place at the university are excluded from export controls because UNC Pembroke can assert the fundamental research exception.

U.S. Dept Commerce -Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Training Resources

BIS - Export Controls: A quick start guide

Typically, DUAs are required on outgoing transfer of data to third parties who have a bona fide research use or practical application for the data (e.g. collaborating research institutions, academicians, public policy makers, community service providers, etc.). DUAs should be used on all paid and unpaid projects. Where incoming transfer of data is proposed, the data provider will determine whether a DUA is necessary.    

To help determine if a particular request requires a DUA you should use the guidance document and decision tree below, and no study data should be released to a 3^rd party without review.   

It is the policy of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke that activities undertaken by its faculty, staff, and students in furtherance of the mission of the university shall be conducted in an ethical and transparent manner consistent with federal and state law and university policy. 

UNCP Covered Employees (EHRA employees, including faculty, non-faculty, and designated SHRA employees who are paid with sponsored research funds), students, visiting scientists or scholars, or trainees engage in a number of activities within the academy related to their teaching, research, and service. 

In most instances, this independence and flexibility work to the advantage and benefit of the employee, the institution, and the community. The same opportunities can become problems, however, when a conflict of commitment or a conflict of interest arises. 

Conflict of interest relates to situations in which financial or other personal considerations may compromise, may involve the potential for compromising, or may have the appearance of compromising a Covered Individual’s objectivity in meeting University duties or responsibilities.

The term “Conflict of Commitment” relates to an employee’s distribution of effort between University Duties or Institutional Responsibilities (primary and secondary), and external professional activities. 

EHRA Faculty and EHRA non-Faculty employees of the University may participate in activities for compensation outside of their Institutional Duties, provide such participation is consistent with the University of North Carolina Board of Governors’ Conflict of Interest and Commitment and Regulations on External Professional Activities for Pay (EPAP) by Faculty and EHRA Non-Faculty Employees.

Conflict of Interest Training has moved to CITI. 

Conflict of Interest Training Module

Training for Conflicts of Commitment and Interest, Human Subjects, Animal Subjects, and Responsible Conduct of Research is available.  UNCP personnel and Researchers can register for the appropriate CITI courses at www.citiprogram.org.

If you are new to the CITI Program you will need to Register (create) a new account, which will include creating a CITI username and password.

Instructions to set up an account: https://support.citiprogram.org/s/article/updated-guide-to-getting-started-video.

1. Registering
2. Logging in
3. Institutional Affiliations

UNCP is using Single Sign On (SSO) to access CITI.

**Returning UNCP users can update their user profile in CITI and combine their training records.**

Guide to getting started with CITI

Need help? CITI Support Page

FAQ: Do you need to take the UNCP Conflict of Interest Training (UNCP-COI) course?

UNCP Conflict of Interest Training (ID 20667)

The UNCP Conflict of Interest Training Module ensures that UNCP Covered Employees (All EHRA faculty, EHRA non-faculty, and designated SHRA employees (paid with sponsored research funds who is employed by UNC Pembroke) have foundational knowledge of Conflicts of Commitment and Interest Affecting University Employment, are familiar with new definitions and requirements issued by the federal government and reflected in UNCP's COI policy and understand the COI monitoring and reporting process at UNCP. All Covered Employees are required to do a yearly Annual COI disclosure. To learn more, see the Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy. This is in addition to the External Activities for Pay form.

The UNCP COI training is valid for 4 years from the date of completion.

FAQ: Do I need to take the Institutional Responsibilities as They Affect Investigators (COI-Basic) course?

Institutional Responsibilities as They Affect Investigators (COI-Basic) (ID 15072)

The Institutional Responsibilities as They Affect Investigators (COI-Basic) Training ensures that UNCP Investigators have foundational knowledge of financial conflict of interest. This training presents an overview of the responsibilities that institutions have regarding the PHS regulations on financial conflicts of interest. It explains the circumstances under which an investigator's significant financial interest (SFI) or institutional financial interest could affect the objectivity of research. Recognizes why institutions must develop management strategies to address FCOIs and describe how institutions collaborating on research projects identify, review, and manage conflicts of interest (COIs). Comprehend the expectations that institutions have as they review and evaluate their investigators’ financial interest reports.

To learn more, see the Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy.

The UNCP FCOI training is valid for 4 years from the date of completion.

FAQ: Do I need to take the Financial Conflicts of Interest: Overview, Investigator Responsibilities, and COI Rules (COI-Basic) course?

Financial Conflicts of Interest: Overview, Investigator Responsibilities, and COI Rules (COI-Basic) (ID 15070)

The Financial Conflicts of Interest: Overview, Investigator Responsibilities, and COI Rules (COI-Basic) Training ensures that UNCP Investigators have foundational knowledge of PHS Regulations, describe how PHS regulations relate to FCOIs; recognize various forms of FCOIs in research, identify the research team members who are subject to FCOI requirements, identify the significant financial interests (SFIs) that investigators must disclose to their institutions, recognize the ongoing obligations that investigators have relating to FCOIs. This training presents an overview of the responsibilities that institutions have regarding the PHS regulations on financial conflicts of interest.

To learn more, see the Conflicts of Interest and Commitment Policy.

FAQ: Do I need to affiliate with UNCP?

If you have a CITI account but are not affiliated with UNC Pembroke, you will need to affiliate. Once logged in to CITI, choose “Click here to affiliate with another Institution”. Under the dropdown “Participating Institutions”, select “University of North Carolina at Pembroke”, then select “Next”.