Report on Responsible Conduct of Research Files
April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026

Figure 1: Status of RCR files for FY 2025-26

Figure 1 long description
  • Opened: 47
  • Closed: 44
  • Active: 66

The Secretariat addressed 110 RCR files between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026. At the end of the 2025-26 fiscal year, 66 files remained active.

Figure 2: Number of RCR files opened, by Agency

Figure 2 long description
  • CIHR: 11
  • NSERC: 23
  • SSHRC: 13

Of the 47 files opened during the reporting period, 11 (23%) related to CIHR-funded research, 23 (49%) related to NSERC-funded research, and 13 (28%) related to SSHRC-funded research

Figure 3: Outcome of RCR files closed

Figure 3 long description
  • Breach: 28
  • No Breach: 16

Of the 44 files closed during the reporting period, 28 (64%) involved at least one breach of the RCR Framework and 16 (36%) did not involve a breach.

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

Figure 4 long description
  • CIHR: 19
  • NSERC: 6
  • SSHRC: 3

Of the 28 files involving a breach, 19 (68%) related to CIHR-funded research, six (21%) related to NSERC-funded research, and three (11%) related to SSHRC-funded research.

Figure 5: RCR files involving a breach by province

Figure 5 long description
  • Ontario: 12 (43%)
  • Quebec: 7 (25%)
  • Alberta: 3 (11%)
  • Other*: 2 (7%)
  • Saskatchewan: 4 (14%)

*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

Figure 6 long description
  • Mismanagement of Grants or Award Funds: 8 (28%)
  • Inadequate Acknowledgement: 5 (17%)
  • Plagiarism: 3 (10%)
  • Misrepresentation: 3 (10%)
  • Breach of Agency Policies: 2 (7%)
  • Institutional Non-Compliance: 2 (7%)
  • Lack of Rigour: 1 (3.5%)
  • Record Keeping: 1 (3.5%)
  • Fabrication: 1 (3.5%)
  • Self-Plagiarism: 1 (3.5%)
  • Mismanagement of Conflict of Interest: 1 (3.5%)
  • Breach of Agency Review Processes: 1 (3.5%)

Of the 28 closed files in which a breach was confirmed, 29 breaches were identified. One file involved more than one breach.

Figure 7: Types of recourses imposed by the Agencies

Figure 7 long description
  • Letter of Reprimand: 14 (40%)
  • Letter of Awareness: 9 (26%)
  • Funding Ineligibility: 5 (14%)
  • Peer Review Ineligibility: 4 (11%)
  • Reimbursment: 3 (9%)

Of the 28 closed files in which a breach was confirmed, 35 recourses were imposed. There may be more than one recourse and more than one respondent per file.

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