Research ethics
In responsible science, research ethics has to do with ethical questions related to the research topic, the research methods and the research data and materials. These include ethical governance procedures, informed consent, anonymity of subjects and withdrawal from research. In addition, the research ethical questions concern research permits granted and pending.
The Academy of Finland requires that all Academy-funded research is carried out following the guidelines of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (Responsible conduct of research and procedures for handling allegations of misconduct in Finland). We also require that researchers follow ALLEA’s (All European Academies) European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity when engaging in international collaboration and applying for EU funding. There are no conflicts between the guidelines of ALLEA and the National Board on Research Integrity.
Adherence to the principles of good scientific practice is primarily the responsibility of each individual researcher and research team, but the responsibility is also shared by the director of the research unit and the management of the organisations conducting research. Besides complying with good scientific practice, the research community and individual researchers must also consider the legislation in force.
Where necessary, the PI must indicate in the application how research ethics has been considered in the project.
The site of research is obliged to submit to the Academy’s Registrar’s Office the final report of any investigations concerning violation of good scientific practice by the PI or a researcher of an Academy-funded project.
We will not process a funding application if the applicant has been found guilty of research misconduct in the three years preceding the year of the call. If we find out about the misconduct during the funding period, whatever is left of the funding period will be added to the three-year limit. If the applicant appeals the decision on the misconduct, and the appeal is successful, we will process the applicant’s new applications following normal procedures.
Only for compelling reasons can government grants be awarded to cover salary costs in cases where the applicant has obstacles related to illegal employment, as referred to in section 7(2) of the Finnish Act on Discretionary Government Transfers (688/2001).
