Research Compliance

Tarleton State University’s Office of Research Compliance (ORC) serves as the central unit ensuring that all university research meets the required regulatory standards. Its oversight framework aligns with federal and state regulations, Texas A&M University System policies, and Tarleton’s institutional policies, creating a consistent and accountable environment for responsible research.

Core Oversight Responsibilities

Institutional research compliance committees — ORC oversees and coordinates the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), ensuring appropriate review and monitoring of research involving human subjects, animals and biohazardous material.

Research integrity — ORC investigates allegations of research misconduct and manages the disclosure and review of Financial Conflicts of Interest (FCOI).

Compliance platforms and training tools — ORC oversees all research compliance software and training, such as the CITI Program for required ethics training, Cayuse for protocol management, and IRBNet for supplemental protocol submission and review.

Support for researchers — ORC helps faculty, staff, and students understand and meet federal sponsor requirements by clarifying compliance expectations, assisting with documentation, and guiding researchers through agency-specific rules.