This Handbook addresses the conduct of research, i.e., systematic investigation designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge, at Stanford.

A complete Table of Contents of the Research Policy Handbook, including policy dates, is available (pdf file).

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Contact Ann George if you have questions about this handbook.

What's New in the Research Policy Handbook

As documents are updated, or new documents are added, you will see a notice to that effect here. New or revised documents will also be identified on the individual Table of Contents for each Chapter (Chapters are linked in the menu on the left).

The following were updated in the Research Policy Handbook in August 2012. In all cases, these policies have been revised to incorporate new Public Health Service requirements.
The following document was updated in the Research Policy Handbook in June 2012.
- Animal Care and Use Education and Training Program (RPH 8.5)
  Defines the requirement for all faculty, researchers, students, and staff who are new to animal research at Stanford to complete a web-based course on animal care and use (VSC-PROG-0001).
In April 2012, the RPH document defining University policy related to Postdoctoral Scholars (RPH 9.4) was updated and reorganized. The main policy defines eligibility, terms of appointment, general visa requirements, and levels/sources of financial support. The following content has been reorganized into attachments to this policy:
- Attachment B: Policy on H-1B (and other employment) Visas for Postdoctoral Scholars
- Attachment C: Rights and Responsibilities of Postdoctoral Scholars and Faculty Mentors
- Attachment D: Postdoctoral Benefits
Attachment A to this policy, Postdoctoral Grievance Procedures, has not been changed.
In February 2012, the tables related to compensation for Research Assistants (RAs) on grants and contracts were updated for 2012-13. These include:
- Minimum RA/TA salaries for 2012-13
- Salary and Tuition Allowance Tables
- Tuition proration tables for estimating tuition allowance in proposal budgets (Stanford access only).
These are linked to Chapter 3 (Financial Management) and Chapter 9 (Non-Faculty Research Appointments) of the Research Policy Handbook.
The following were updated in the Research Policy Handbook in February 2012.
- Cost Sharing Policy (RPH 3.5)
- Undergraduate Salaries Charged to Sponsored Projects (RPH 3.11)
The cost sharing update incorporates the new requirements of the National Science Foundation (NSF), prohibiting cost sharing unless specifically required by a program solicitation. This prohibition extends to the waiver of indirect costs on NSF-funded research projects. As a result, Stanford will no longer waive indirect costs on the salaries of undergraduate students working on sponsored projects. Instead, a financial incentive will be provided to the PI through the office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research to encourage meaningful undergraduate participation on sponsored research projects.

The following have also been updated to provide guidance related to these policies:

Stanford University reserves the right to amend at any time the policies and other materials contained in this handbook. Currently applicable versions are provided here, superseding any previous versions.