Report on Responsible Conduct of Research Files
April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025

Figure 1: Status of RCR files for FY 2024-25

Figure 1 long description
  • Opened: 57
  • Closed: 51
  • Active: 63

The Secretariat addressed 114 files on the responsible conduct of research between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. At the end of fiscal year 2024-25, 63 files remained active.

Figure 2: Number of RCR files opened, by Agency

Figure 2 long description
  • CIHR: 29
  • NSERC: 17
  • SSHRC: 11

Of the 57 files opened during the reporting period, 29 (51%) related to CIHR-funded research, 17 (30%) related to NSERC-funded research, and 11 (19%) related to SSHRC-funded research.

Figure 3: Outcome of RCR files closed

Figure 3 long description
  • Breach: 29
  • No Breach: 16
  • No Determination: 6

Of the 51 files closed during the reporting period, 29 (57%) involved at least one breach of the RCR Framework. 16 (31%) did not involve a breach, and six (12%) files were closed with no determination.

Figure 4: Breakdown by Agency of RCR files involving a breach

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  • CIHR: 8
  • NSERC: 14
  • SSHRC: 7

Of the 29 files involving a breach, eight (28%) related to CIHR-funded research, 14 (48%) related to NSERC-funded research, and seven (24%) related to SSHRC-funded research.

Figure 5: RCR files involving a breach by province

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  • Ontario: 12 (41%)
  • Quebec: 6 (21%)
  • Alberta: 4 (14%)
  • Other: 4 (14%)
  • British Columbia: 3 (10%)

Provinces with fewer than three RCR files involving a breach are included in this category to maintain the confidentiality of the parties involved.

Figure 6: Categories of confirmed breaches during the reporting period

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  • Breach of Agency policy: 10 (24%)
  • Falsification: 6 (14%)
  • Inadequate acknowledgement: 5 (12%)
  • Fabrication: 4 (10%)
  • Lack of rigour: 4 (10%)
  • Misrepresentation in Agency application: 4 (10%)
  • Inadequate supervision (Article 2.7): 3 (7%)
  • Invalid authorship: 2 (5%)
  • Destruction of records: 1 (2%)
  • Mismanagement of funds: 1 (2%)
  • Plagiarism: 1 (2%)
  • Self-plagiarism: 1 (2%)

Figure 6: Includes failures to meet the researchers' responsibilities.

Of the 29 closed files in which a breach was confirmed, 42 breaches were identified. Some files involved more than one breach.

Figure 7: Types of recourses imposed by the Agencies

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  • Letter of awareness: 17 (33%)
  • Letter of reprimand: 13 (25%)
  • Ineligibility for funding: 11 (21%)
  • Peer review ineligibility: 11 (21%)

Of the 29 closed files in which a breach was confirmed, 52 recourses were imposed. There may be more than one recourse and more than one respondent per file.

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