SECTION I. SCOPE. This policy applies to research conducted at the University of Minnesota (University) by University faculty, staff, students, visiting researchers, and volunteers, except as provided in Section II.

This policy shall not apply when:

(a) the research is performed by faculty members on leave from the University, by faculty members serving as consultants, or by faculty members working off-site through another organization; or

(b) the research involves services performed as an external sale,

provided that the results of such services either may be published freely in the aggregate or may be used to guide the design of broader research activities.

The mission of the University is to generate and disseminate knowledge. Essential to this mission are the fundamental principles of open scholarly exchange and academic freedom. Absent compelling reasons, the University shall not accept restrictions on the dissemination of the results of University research. The University cooperates with research sponsors in the orderly publication of research results, subject to appropriate restrictions on the use of publications or of the University’s name for commercial purposes.

The following provisions shall govern the acceptance of research grants and contracts by the University:

Subd. 1. Disclosure of the Research Relationship. The University shall not accept support from any source for research under a contract or grant that prohibits the disclosure of:

(a) the existence of the contract or grant;

(b) the identity of the sponsor or the grantor and, if a subcontract is involved, the identity of the prime contractor if the results of the research must be reported to the sponsor, grantor, or prime contractor; and

(c) the purpose and scope of the proposed research in sufficient detail to permit informal discussion concerning the wisdom of such research within the University and to inform colleagues in immediate and related disciplines of the nature and importance of the potential contribution to the disciplines involved.

Subd. 2. Open Dissemination of Research Results. The University shall not accept support for any research under a contract or grant, if the contract or grant limits the full and prompt public dissemination of results or specifically permits the retroactive classification of results as nonpublic, except for reasons found compelling through a review process specified in administrative procedures.

Subd. 3. Retroactive Restrictions on Research Results. If a sponsor imposes restrictions on disclosure of research results after the research has begun, the University shall reevaluate whether to continue the work. In the reevaluation, the University shall apply provisions of this policy and a review process specified in the administrative procedures.

Subd. 4. Use of Facilities. University facilities shall not be available for research that violates this policy. Any exceptions shall be considered through the review procedure specified in administrative procedures.

The following provisions shall govern the publication of research results:

Subd. 1. University's Right to Publish. The University reserves the right to publish and present research results, individually and in collaboration with other researchers. When a research sponsor requests prior review, the University shall provide an opportunity for review of the manuscript or presentation materials and will consider suggested modifications prior to publication.

Subd. 2. Attribution. Publications by the University shall properly acknowledge the financial support and other contributions of research sponsors.

Subd. 3. Brand and Trade Names. Publication and presentation of research results by either the University or the sponsor shall not include commercial brands or trade names unless such brand or trade name is essential to the description of the research.

Subd. 4. Publicity. Research grants and contracts may provide that University researchers must obtain prior written approval from the sponsor for any prepublication publicity regarding the research results.

Subd. 5. Authorization for Research Sponsor to Publish. If the University elects not to publish research results, the research sponsor may, with the consent of the University, publish them.

The name of the University shall not be used in any way by research sponsors for advertising purposes.

This policy supercedes the Regents’ policies on Publication of Investigation Results and Research Secrecy.


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