Launch of the Revised Code of Conduct for Research Integrity

The revised document is based on the 2011 version of the code written by the European Science Foundation and ALLEA. Developments in European research funding, which are being directly advanced by Science Europe Member Organisations, were among the drivers behind this updated version.

Science Europe actively contributed to the stakeholder consultations organised as part of the revision process and many of the main messages we communicated have been taken up. As a result, the revised code:

• Refers to four fundamental principles of research integrity: the principles in Section 1 are self-explanatory, differentiated from research practice, and not subject to aspirational or political agendas;
• Acknowledges the collaborative nature of research: Paragraph 2.6 calls for all partners involved in collaborative research to formally agree on expectations and standards concerning research integrity, as well as on the process that would be used if an allegation of research misconduct or questionable practices arise; and
• Recognises the fast-paced changes in the research environment: Section 2 describes good research practices in various context and flags the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in safeguarding integrity in research, researchers, research institutions and organisations, authors, publishers and reviewers.

Professor Günter Stock, President of ALLEA, will formally hand over the code to Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation at a reception in Brussels today. The European Commission intends to refer to the revised code in the Horizon 2020 Model Grant Agreement.