The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) is establishing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations implementing the Federal Policy on Research Misconduct applicable to extramural research. The regulation defines research misconduct and establishes basic USDA requirements for the conduct of fair and timely investigations of alleged or suspected infractions. The regulation also includes instructions on USDA administrative actions when research misconduct is found.
A formal finding of research misconduct under 42 CFR part 93 (HHS) or equivalent agency policy. The respondent was found to have engaged in fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism of research data. The federal grant funds involved are typically identified in the FR notice, along with the administrative actions (debarment, supervised research, manuscript correction or retraction requirements).