Policy: Research Misconduct Policy
Public Comment Period: November 20, 2025 – December 4, 2025
Overview
The policy provides guidance to Lehigh University academic, scientific, and professional staff, employees, and students of the University on the reporting, Assessment, Inquiry, and Investigation of Allegations of Research Misconduct.
Reason for the new policy:
Revised federal regulations require updates to the university's research misconduct policy. The current policy on Ethical Conduct in Academic Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities serves as the de facto research misconduct policy. The required changes necessitate a complete policy rewrite rather than an update to the existing policy. The policy on Ethical Conduct in Academic Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities will be retired and replaced with the Research Misconduct policy when it goes into effect on January 1, 2026.
Policy scope:
The policy applies to research activities proposed and conducted by academic, scientific, and professional staff, employees and faculty, emeritus faculty, and students of the University, whether or not they are externally funded and irrespective of funding source, during their employment by or term of their contract with the University.
Timing:
This draft policy will be finalized and made effective after the public comment period ends and any necessary final revisions are made. The public comment period is from November 20, 2025 to December 4, 2025. During the public comment period, the draft policy will be posted to the Research Integrity website and relevant communications will be issued.