Ensuring Research Integrity - Research on Research Integrity (RRI)

The Ensuring Research Integrity - Research on Research Integrity (RRI) grant opportunity, administered by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is anticipated for Fiscal Year 2025. This grant initiative is led by the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), whose mission includes fostering research environments that support integrity and responsible conduct in Public Health Service (PHS)-funded research. The grant program is guided by federal mandates under 42 U.S.C. § 241 and 42 C.F.R. Part 93, which require research institutions to prevent and address misconduct, educate researchers in ethical practices, and promote standards that uphold the credibility of scientific investigations. The Research on Research Integrity (RRI) program is designed to support empirical studies investigating the underlying causes and positive drivers of integrity in research. The program specifically seeks proposals that explore societal, organizational, behavioral, and individual-level factors affecting research integrity. Projects funded under this opportunity should aim to contribute to the understanding of what leads to research misconduct and what conditions promote ethical behavior in scientific environments. The total expected funding for this opportunity is $500,000, with an award ceiling of $250,000 and a floor of $150,000. ORI anticipates funding up to two projects. Matching funds are not required. Funding may be used to support research, training, and outreach activities consistent with the goal of improving the integrity of research conducted under the Public Health Service. The program encourages applicants to propose rigorous methodologies to explore institutional and personal influences on research practices and misconduct. A wide range of organizations and individuals are eligible to apply. This includes universities, hospitals, laboratories, public and private institutions, state and local governments, school districts, tribal organizations, for-profit and nonprofit entities (regardless of 501(c)(3) status), as well as individuals. Faith-based and community organizations are also eligible. The grant is open to all U.S. states and territories without geographic restriction. As a forecasted opportunity, applications are not yet being accepted, but the estimated posting date is July 17, 2025, with an application deadline of July 30, 2025. Awards are expected to be made by September 15, 2025, and projects should commence by September 30, 2025. There are no stated pre-application deadlines, LOI requirements, or application tips provided at this stage. The opportunity is not rolling but is anticipated to recur, with the next expected cycle likely in July 2026 based on typical annual federal grant patterns. For additional information, prospective applicants can contact Armineh Ghazarian at the Office of Research Integrity via email at Armineh.Ghazarian@hhs.gov or by phone at 240-453-8822.