Compliance, Accountability, and Inclusion in Research, Evaluation, and Science
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)
Protections for Human Research Participants
Research Integrity
Information Security and Privacy
Financial Accountability
About PIRE CAIRES
PIRE CAIRES is our express organizational commitment to an operational paradigm defined by beneficence, fairness, and respect. These principles were first brought together in the Belmont Report as the foundation of ethical research with human participants. The integration of these principles into every strategy and process is key to achieving rigor in science, impact through programs, and overall organizational excellence.
We universally apply these practices to all aspects of PIRE’s operations, programs, policies, and commitments, internally and with our partners.
BENEFICENCE
The concept of actively seeking to achieve improved outcomes for all persons and systems. It goes beyond self-interest and places the common good as the focus for decisions and actions.
FAIRNESS
Equity to achieve a just outcome or solution. The purpose is to go beyond being unbiased to recognize and respond to previous or current injustices to achieve the goal of equity.
RESPECT
The purposeful recognition of each person as an autonomous, unique individual. Respect ensures that a person’s dignity and worth are valued.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB)
We believe that a DEIB-centered organization not only benefits all PIRE staff but helps make the Institute more competitive and better positioned to undertake high-quality and relevant research, evaluation, and technical assistance. Through our dedication to the principles of beneficence, fairness, and respect PIRE promotes diversity in all ways, including hiring, retention, promotion, career development, and procurement/partnering practices. Our commitment to doing these things celebrates diversity in backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences in all we do.
Key Features
The Belmont Report is the foundational document for ethical research.
Protections for Human Research Participants
The PIRE CAIRES hub highlights our long-term and continuing organizational commitment to rigorous ethical research that protects the rights of participants. Everyone at PIRE is responsible for ensuring that all research participants are treated equitably and with dignity and respect as we seek knowledge to improve well-being among individuals, families and communities throughout the nation and world.
Key Features
- All PIRE projects, regardless of funding source, comply with the Code of Federal Regulations for the Protection of Human Research Subjects (45 CFR 46).
- PIRE maintains a current Federalwide Assurance (FWA00003078), an institutional commitment to 45 CFR 46, with the Office for Human Research Protections.
- PIRE maintains Institutional Review Board(s) that review all projects for compliance.
- All PIRE staff receive training on human research protections and ethics.
Research Integrity
Research integrity requires honesty, accuracy, and objectivity in project design, study implementation, and research reports, as well as the efficient use of sponsor funds. PIRE is dedicated to achieving and maintaining the highest level of research integrity in every project by fostering an environment of individual responsibility with strong institutional oversight.
Key Features
- PIRE’s Research Misconduct Policy provides processes for reporting any misconduct in compliance with the Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct.
- PIRE’s Financial Conflict of Interest Policy supports integrity by removing research bias in compliance with Federal Financial Conflict of Interest regulations.
- PIRE’s Commercial Funding Policy
A Layered Approach to Cybersecurity: People, Processes, and Technology
Information Security and Privacy
At PIRE we value and protect privacy and are committed to ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of all digital and physical information we receive, generate, store, and process, including operational and research data.
This commitment is made through our Information Security Program (InfoSec), which is a set of evolving practices to keep information secure from unauthorized access or alterations.
Key Features
- Oversight – an Information Security Committee ensures that our security practices are effective, align with PIRE’s goals, and meet our client’s needs.
- Data Governance – practices to classify data, ensure the confidentiality and integrity of data, and ensure alignment with usage needs and availability.
- Standardization – industry-standard policies derived from the NIST Risk Management Framework in compliance with the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA).
- Education – experiential training courses to continuously build security awareness.
Financial Accountability
As a steward of the financial resources entrusted to us by our funders and the public, PIRE is committed to maintaining the highest levels of financial integrity, ethics, and accountability in support of its mission as a leader in scientific knowledge and programs that promote all aspects of health and well-being among individuals, families, and communities throughout the nation and world.
In support of these objectives, PIRE’s financial controls and processes are reviewed on an ongoing basis by independent third parties, to ensure that we meet or exceed the highest stands of financial management and oversight.
