Terms of Reference CIHR’s Research Integrity Committee (RIC)

Mandate:

The RIC is mandated to:

Secretariat, Chair and Membership:

CIHR's Ethics Office serves as the secretariat to the RIC. The secretariat conducts an initial triage of allegations of non-compliance received by CIHR, and determines if an institutional investigation into the matter is required.

The Chair of the RIC is external to CIHR, and is appointed under the authority of the President. The Chair is responsible for chairing RIC meetings, approving outgoing correspondence, approving meeting agendas, and designating his/her replacement when unavailable. The Chair is a voting member in the event of a tie vote.

Membership on the RIC includes individuals external to CIHR, and CIHR staff. External members are full voting members. CIHR staff are non-voting members expected to provide external members with the necessary background, information and advice on agency policies relevant to meeting dicussions.

External members (voting): 

  • Chair
  • Researcher
  • Institution administrator
  • Community respresentative
  • Member knowledgeable in ethics
  • Member of CIHR's Standing Committee on Ethics (SCE)

CIHR members (non-voting):

  • Director, Ethics Office
  • Director, Knowledge Creation Programs (KCP)
  • Coordinator, Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP)
  • Chief Financial Officer Assistant Director, CIHR Institute
  • Ethics Policy Advisor, Research Integrity

The RIC may consult with other CIHR staff or external individuals for advice, as needed. These consultations will respect the confidentiality of all parties involved.

Meetings:

The RIC normally convenes monthly, and may convene more frequently if required.

Terms:

The Chair is appointed for a 2 year term, renewable once, for up to 2 years.

The Director of the Ethics Office, Director of KCP, Access to Information and Privacy Coordinator, Chief Financial Officer, Assistant Director of a CIHR Institute and the Ethics Policy Advisor (Research Integrity) are permanent non-voting members.

External voting members are appointed for 2 years, renewable, for 2 years, upon approval by the Executive Management Committee (EMC).

Quorum:

A majority of its external voting members (50% plus 1), which must include the Chair, or his/her designate.

Reference:

Tri-Agency Process for Addressing Allegations of Non-Compliance with Tri-Agency Policies (the Tri-Agency Process).

Reporting:

The RIC reports to the EMC. In instances where the RIC recommends administrative actions, EMC is the final decision making authority. Statistical data on the nature, status and resolution of allegations are posted on CIHR's website, subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act.

Evaluation:

The Tri-Agency Process will be reviewed every three years. Revisions to the Process are approved by the Senior Integrity Committee of the three Agencies.