Research and Scholarship

The Faculty Senate is the legislative body of the Academic Council and has responsibility for research (as well as academic) policy. 

The Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research (VPDoR) publishes the Research Policy Handbook, which outlines the policies, guidelines, and general information related to Stanford's research enterprise. The policies below are particularly relevant to graduate students.

Browse the full Research Policy Handbook

Publishing and Collaboration

Academic Authorship

Guidelines for academic authorship, including the allocation of responsibility and credit for scholarly publications.

Multi-Authored Research Papers

Guidelines for manuscripts produced by multi-investigator research teams, addressing coherence, review, co-authorship and maintenance of data.

Copyright

Policies and associated administrative procedures for copyrightable materials and other intellectual property.

Intellectual Property

Policies on copyrights and patents resulting from University work. All graduate students and postdoctoral fellows (as well as all faculty, staff and visitors engaged in research) sign the Stanford University Patent and Copyright Agreement (SU-18) in Axess.

Openness in Research

Reinforces the principle of freedom of access by all interested persons to the underlying data, processes, and final results of research. Stanford University will not accept funding for research projects that require secrecy.

Conducting Research

Responsible Conduct of Research

Conducting research ethically and responsibly is everyone’s obligation. Some federal funding agencies require that students complete training in the Responsible Conduct of Research. The Office of the Vice Provost and Dean of Research (VPDoR) lists the training requirements and available training options. 

Research Compliance

Administrative panels review and approve research projects to safeguard the rights and welfare of all human research subjects, ensure the humane care and use of laboratory animals, and protect the safety of personnel and the general public in the areas of biosafety and radiological safety. Find out more about research compliance.

Research Misconduct

Defines procedure for handling allegations, reporting, and investigations of research misconduct. Each member of the University community has a responsibility to foster an environment that promotes intellectual honesty and integrity and does not tolerate fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in any aspect of research or scholarly endeavor.