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Research Support

Discover the wide range of information and resources available to support your research goals as a member of the Penn research community.

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Explore Resources

Get your questions answered on how to navigate the research enterprise and identify what resources can support your research needs.

Forms & Documents

Essential forms needed to submit research related activity or requests.

Guides & How-To’s

Information to help manage aspects of research.

Policies & Procedures

The rules and guidelines that govern research at Penn and ensure compliance.

Programs & Services

Partners on campus dedicated to supporting the research mission of Penn.

Publications & Articles

Informative documents on a variety of topics related to research.

Tools & Systems

Resources that support research management and activity.

Trainings & Courses

Opportunities to learn or improve skills related to research or professional development.

Explore Support Topics

Learn more about various research support topics that help shape the trajectory and success of your research. 

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Explore the Research Lifecycle

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OVPR Reporting Offices

A comprehensive list of research support offices reporting to the Senior Vice Provost for Research.

Penn Center for Innovation

The Penn Center for Innovation (PCI) is responsible for technology transfer, fostering collaboration with the industry, and driving entrepreneurial endeavors. PCI helps to translate discoveries and ideas created at the University of Pennsylvania into new products and businesses for societal benefit.

Research Integrity Office

Management of the University’s Research-related Financial Conflicts of Interest Program and oversight of the Office’s commitment to Responsible Conduct of Research and Research Integrity.

Office of Animal Welfare

The Office of Animal Welfare (OAW) provides comprehensive support and guidance to the animal research community on matters related to Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocol development and ensuring regulatory compliance for the animal program.

Environmental Health & Radiation Safety

The Office of Environmental Health & Radiation Safety (EHRS) promotes health, safety, and environmental protection in teaching, research, healthcare, and administrative activities by providing services, advice, and compliance assistance.

Human Research Protections Program

IRB promotes and protects the welfare of human research participants by reviewing and approving all human subject research conducted on Penn’s campus.

Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA) aims to facilitate and strengthen the resources, community, and support for postdoctoral trainees at the University of Pennsylvania.

Office of Research Services

The Office of Research Services (ORS) is responsible for supporting University investigators and administrators by managing externally sponsored research projects through the pre-award and post-award processes.

University Laboratory Animal Resources

University Laboratory Animal Resources (ULAR) is a campus-wide research service organization that provides daily animal husbandry, veterinary care and diagnostic services.
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Find Answers to Common Questions

What training is required by the university for postdoc appointments?
Postdocs should complete the responsible conduct of research (RCR) training. There will be training required for specific kinds of research and they should discuss with their faculty mentor as well as explore the offices relavant to their research (e.g. IRB, Biosafety, etc).
How long is the typical postdoc appointment?
Postdocs can be appointed for one year at a time and for up to five years, depending on prior experience. Information on appointments can be reviewed in the postdoctoral policy.
How can I get started on a research project that involves community members?
The Community Engagement Research Core (part of ITMAT) is a resource at Penn that offers “consultation on community engagement, training in participatory research methods, and assistance with community translation activities”.
What is PennERA?
PennERA (electronic research administration) is a suite of web based applications to manage research administration tasks including proposal development, proposal tracking, human subjects and/or lab animal management, and idenitfying funding opportunities through the SPIN database.
How do I know who has been officially designated, since I am not allowed to share applications with someone who has not been officially designated to participate in the peer review meeting?
Officially-designated members include appointed members, temporary ad hoc members, the Scientific Review Officer, and NIH staff with a need to know. Applications, proposals, and confidential meeting materials cannot be shared with anyone who is not a member of the study section where those documents and information are being reviewed
What is an example of an activity that is not a foreign component, but would meet the definition of other support? What is the difference?
This is unique to each situation and depends upon specific details surrounding a particular activity. For instance, one model could be that a PI on an NIH grant may have an appointment and a lab at a foreign university. The research being done at the foreign lab is unrelated to the PI’s NIH project. This would not qualify as a foreign component of the NIH research, as the foreign work is not part of the NIH-funded project. However, it is a resource made available to the researcher in support of their research. Therefore, it must be reported as Other Support.

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