10/12/22, 5:55 PM TCPS 2: CORE-2022

TCPS 2: CORE-2022

Module A1 - Introduction
Practical guidance
Who is responsible for the TCPS 2?

The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Natural Sciences and Engineering
Research Council of Canada (NSERC); and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) (the
Agencies) - Canada’s three main research funding agencies - developed the TCPS in 1998 in order to have a
single source of guidance for research ethics. Based on shared principles, the guidance is intended to be flexible
enough to apply to the different approaches and practices of all research disciplines. In 2001, they jointly
established two bodies responsible for the TCPS.

The Secretariat on Responsible Conduct of Research (SRCR) drafts, revises, interprets, and helps to
implement the TCPS. It responds to questions from researchers and REBs about how to interpret and apply the
TCPS. It identifies emerging ethics issues and proposes changes to the TCPS to keep it current. It conducts
consultations with the research community to ensure the relevance and accuracy of TCPS guidance. SRCR
supports and collaborates with the Panel on Research Ethics.

The Panel on Research Ethics (PRE) provides expert, independent advice and strategic guidance on the
content of the TCPS. It considers novel ethics questions or issues, and reviews the guidance or interpretations
proposed by SRCR. PRE consists of 12 independent members reflecting a broad range of expertise and research
experience. They are appointed by the Presidents of the Agencies. PRE serves as an advisory body to the
Agencies on research ethics issues.

Who has to follow the TCPS 2?

Anyone who conducts research under the auspices of an eligible institution must comply with the TCPS 2. This
is true regardless of the source of the research funding, including self-funded or non-funded research. It also
applies regardless of where the research is conducted.

An eligible institution is one that has entered into an agreement with the Agencies: the Agreement on the
Administration of Agency Grants and Awards by Research Institutions. By signing the Agreement, institutions
have committed, among other undertakings, to complying with all Agency policies, including the TCPS 2.
Fulfilling the terms of the Agreement makes an institution eligible to receive and administer Agency funds. In
general, universities, colleges and affiliated hospitals as well as research institutes/centres in Canada are eligible
institutions. Some organizations that are not eligible institutions have nevertheless adopted the TCPS 2
voluntarily.

Accountability for compliance with the TCPS 2

The Tri-Agency Framework: Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR Framework) describes the responsibilities
of researchers, institutions and the Agencies themselves in maintaining appropriate standards of responsible
conduct of research. Responsible conduct of research is a broad term that encompasses the integrity and
accountability of researchers, in their professional relations with colleagues, funders, research participants
(human and animal), as well as the public. One of the key aims of responsible conduct of research is to ensure
the validity and accuracy of the research record.

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Compliance with Agency policies, including the TCPS 2, is one of the requirements of the RCR Framework.
Researchers who fail to comply with the TCPS 2, whether intentionally or not, are therefore in breach of the
RCR Framework. The Agencies have the authority to exercise the recourses set out in the RCR Framework.
Depending on the severity and impact of the breach, these range from a letter of awareness, to ineligibility to
apply for or to hold Agency funding for a period of time (or permanently, in the most serious matters). Any
recourse by the Agencies would be in addition to any disciplinary action taken by the researcher’s institution.
The RCR Framework also sets out how institutions must respond to allegations of breach of RCR
responsibilities by researchers. The RCR Framework takes effect from the moment a researcher applies for
funding and continues through the conduct of research to the dissemination of results.

For more information on the responsible conduct of research, consult the RCR Framework and Webinar on the
Introduction to the Framework

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