Ensuring Research Integrity Program Development and Evaluation Program (PDE)

The Ensuring Research Integrity – Program Development and Evaluation Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Office of Research Integrity. This federal funding opportunity is designed to strengthen scientific integrity across the research ecosystem by supporting projects that promote responsible conduct, transparency, and reproducibility in research. The program builds on prior initiatives launched by the Office of Research Integrity and reflects a continued federal commitment to improving research practices and preventing misconduct through evidence based interventions and tools. The purpose of this grant program is to fund projects that develop, implement, and evaluate innovative approaches to fostering research integrity. Applicants are encouraged to create educational resources, risk assessment tools, and intervention programs that address misconduct risks and improve institutional research environments. The program emphasizes the development of empirical, evidence based tools and interventions that can be applied broadly across research institutions. Projects may include training modules, artificial intelligence enabled tools, mentorship programs, or systems designed to detect or prevent questionable research practices. Funding for this opportunity is limited, with an estimated total program allocation of two hundred thousand dollars and approximately two awards anticipated. Individual awards are expected to range between seventy five thousand and one hundred thousand dollars for a twelve month period of performance. Funds must be used strictly for allowable project activities, and certain restrictions apply, including prohibitions on pre award costs and construction expenses. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement, making the program accessible to a wide range of applicants. Eligible applicants include a broad set of entities such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, state and local governments, tribal entities, and for profit organizations. Faith based and community based organizations are also eligible. There are no restrictions on who may serve as the project director or principal investigator, provided they are not subject to federal exclusions. Applications may be submitted individually or as part of a consortium, though only one entity may serve as the primary applicant and award recipient. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes standard federal forms, a project narrative, appendices, and a detailed budget package. The project narrative must address program priorities, describe proposed activities and outcomes, and demonstrate alignment with federal research integrity goals. Applications undergo a multi stage review process including eligibility screening, responsiveness review, and merit evaluation by an independent panel. Evaluation criteria focus on project innovation, measurable outcomes, evaluation methods, dissemination strategies, and organizational capacity. The application deadline for the current cycle is July twenty seventh, two thousand twenty six at six pm Eastern time, with a technical assistance webinar scheduled for July thirteenth. Awards are anticipated to be issued by the end of September, with projects beginning shortly thereafter. Funded recipients are required to report on progress, evaluate outcomes, and disseminate findings to the broader research community. The program is expected to recur periodically as part of ongoing federal efforts to advance research integrity, though future cycles are subject to funding availability and agency priorities.

Focus on measurable outcomes and strong evaluation methods; align closely with research integrity priorities; demonstrate innovation and practical applicability; clearly define dissemination strategy