Project Checklist: Openness in Research

Available as pdf file.

The principle of openness in research is one of overriding importance to this University. Accordingly, no program of research that requires secrecy may be conducted at Stanford, unless it meets one of the exceptions set out in the University's Openness in Research policy.

Use this checklist when reviewing:

requests for proposals or project solicitations,
program award notices,
Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs),
any other documents related to research proposals, contracts, cooperative agreements, and other arrangements for sponsored research projects

to assure that they do not require secrecy or impose unacceptable restrictions.

In any proposals for research funding, Stanford will include standard language in its cover letter indicating the University's commitment to openness in research, and its intention to adhere to its policy in this regard. Suggested language is also available for inclusion in the proposal itself, especially when proposing to do contract or subcontract work.

Does this project or agreement:		YES	No
1.	Contain language referring to or mandating compliance with export laws or regulations?
2.	Restrict researcher participation (faculty, student, others) based on country of origin or citizenship?
3.	Require researcher participation in US-citizen-only meetings?
4.	Prohibit the hiring of non-US citizens to be involved in the proposed research?
5.	Grant the sponsor a right of prepublication review for matters other than the inclusion of patent and/or proprietary sponsor information?
6.	Provide that any part of the sponsoring, granting, or establishing documents may not be disclosed?
7.	Limit access to confidential data so centrally related to the research that a member of the research group who was not privy to the confidential data would be unable to participate fully in all of the intellectually significant portions of the project?
If the answer to any of these question is "Yes," or if you have other questions related to openness in research, please contact the Dean of Research office. (Ann George, 723-9721, anngeo@stanford.edu).
If accepting proprietary information as part of a project:		YES	No
8.	Is the information clearly defined?
9.	Can the information be appropriately protected?
10.	Can proprietary information be removed from research results, so that results may be freely published?
If the answer to any of these question is "No," please contact the Dean of Research office (Ann George, 723-9721, anngeo@stanford.edu).
If accepting information identified as export-controlled:		YES	No
11.	Has a Non-Disclosure Agreement been reviewed with Stanford's Export Control Officer?
12	Is there any need to share this information with others, including international students or other non-citizens?
In either case, when dealing with export controls, please contact the University's Export Control Officer (Steve Eisner, 724-7072, steve.eisner@stanford.edu)