Research Continuity

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This information is provided to help answer questions researchers may have about critical laboratory and facility functions or the impact to ongoing or forthcoming research projects as a result of a crisis. Below is general research continuity protocols regarding: 

Research Critical Facilities and Personnel

  • All facilities managers should be aware of their required protocol for staffing, contact, and maintenance in the event of a crisis. Additionally, all facilities should ensure sufficient supply of critical materials due to potential impacts on domestic and international supply chains.
  • To ensure research units are prepared in advance of an emergency situation, please review this checklist and document responses as appropriate.
  • During an emergency, critical laboratories and facilities are to operate under the University’s current safety protocols, which may include modified services and operations. Contact specific facilities to verify access and availability.

Research Compliance

Review Boards

  • During a potential research disruption, the activity status of review boards and committees, such as the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), and Research Review Board (RRB), will be monitored by Notre Dame Research Compliance.
  • Researchers with submitted proposals should email compliance@nd.edu for specific information on feedback and timelines.

Human Subjects

Animal Care

  • The University’s animal care facility, Freimann Life Science Center, has preparedness protocols in place to maintain animal care without disruption in the event of a crisis. Please send any related questions to freimann@nd.edu.  

Proposal Development and Submission

  • In the event of a research disruption, it is anticipated that research administration will continue. However, researchers should email or call their preaward contact with any questions about proposals, including general proposal questions to whether a proposal deadline may be affected.
  • For general proposal development questions, please contact ndr-preaward-list@nd.edu or visit the NDR research services FAQ. Researchers can also check individual sponsor websites for updates. 

Current Awards

  • Each principal investigator should monitor the progress of their research project, prioritizing the safety of all involved researchers, subjects, facilities and sites, and materials. Please be prepared to adjust research as necessary in order to follow relevant guidance and safety standards, best practices, and continuity protocols.
  • If research is severely impacted by a crisis, the principal investigator should notify both their sponsor program officer and their NDRA grants program manager. 
  • In the event of an emergency situation, NDRA will provide specific guidance on implications to effort reporting, allowable costs, etc.

Research Travel 

  • During an emergency situation, University-reimbursed international and/or domestic travel may be limited or prohibited for a certain period of time.
  • Essential research-related travel may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the relevant Dean and/or Vice President for Research. 

Safety

  • In response to an emergency event, it is expected that fewer people may be working on campus, including in laboratories and facilities. Therefore, people may need to modify procedures to perform their research work due to travel restrictions, health conditions, or other impediments. Because of this, stay up-to-date on University updates and consider the following preparatory advice:
    • Avoid performing high-risk procedures alone due to a lack of personnel.
    • When working alone is necessary, exercise maximum caution.
    • Ensure your emergency contact details are updated in inside.nd.edu and that your direct manager has this information as well.
    • Notify colleagues of your schedule when working alone for an extended period of time.
    • Ensure that hazardous materials (radioactive, biohazards, chemicals, etc.) are secure.  

Essential Research Contacts

Please find relevant research-related contacts below. All email addresses are actively monitored.