Research institutions that conduct extramural research funded by USDA must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity. They must develop or have procedures in place to respond to allegations of research misconduct that ensure:

(a) Appropriate separations of responsibility for inquiry, investigation, and adjudication;

(b) Objectivity;

(c) Due process;

(d) Whistleblower protection;

(e) Confidentiality—to the extent possible and consistent with a fair and thorough investigation and as allowed by law, knowledge about the identity of subjects and complainants is limited to those who need to know; and

(f) Timely resolution.