Research Ethics Policy

Supansha® Development Foundation

Effective Date: 01 September 2023 | Last Updated: 01 September 2025

1. Introduction

Supansha® Development Foundation (SDF) is committed to advancing ethical, inclusive, and socially impactful research across its domains of Healthcare and Well-being, Education and Livelihoods, Research and Data Science, and Biodiversity and Eco-care. This Research Ethics Policy ensures that all research activities conducted or supported by SDF uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, transparency, respect for human rights, and ecological responsibility.

Our policy is aligned with both Indian frameworks (ICMR National Ethical Guidelines 2017, National Education Policy 2020, ICAR standards, NDCTR 2019, NDSAP) and global standards (WHO, CIOMS, ICMJE, UNESCO, CBD, Paris Agreement). By integrating Indian and international ethical frameworks, SDF ensures that its initiatives are scientifically rigorous, culturally sensitive, transparent, and socially relevant.

2. Applicability

  • All research studies initiated, funded, partnered, or facilitated by SDF.
  • Staff, volunteers, consultants, interns, and partner organizations involved in SDF research.
  • Collaborating academic institutions, NGOs, and government agencies.

3. Ethical Principles

  • Respect for Persons: Safeguarding autonomy, dignity, and rights of participants.
  • Beneficence: Maximizing benefits while minimizing risks.
  • Justice & Equity: Fair participant selection and equitable research outcomes.
  • Integrity & Transparency: Accuracy, honesty, and openness in reporting.
  • Confidentiality & Privacy: Protection of sensitive personal and medical data.
  • Community Engagement: Inclusion of marginalized voices and cultural sensitivity.
  • Environmental Responsibility: Preventing ecological harm and promoting sustainability.

4. Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC)

  • SDF will establish an independent Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC), duly registered with the competent authority (e.g., CDSCO/DCGI or ICMR).
  • The IEC will include medical experts, social scientists, ethicists, legal advisors, and community representatives.
  • No research study will commence without prior IEC approval.
  • The IEC will review, approve, and monitor all research projects to ensure compliance with ethical standards and participant protection.

Note: Until the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) of Supansha® Development Foundation is formally established and registered, SDF shall obtain approval for its research activities from other recognized IECs or competent government regulatory bodies.

5. Informed Consent

  • Informed consent is mandatory for all human participant research.
  • Consent forms must be clear, simple, and available in local/regional languages.
  • For vulnerable groups (children, women, TB patients, differently-abled), additional safeguards are required.
  • Digital consent may be used under IEC oversight.
  • Participants retain the right to withdraw at any stage without penalty.

6. Research Conduct & Data Management

  • All research must comply with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and Good Research Practice (GRP).
  • Data collection must follow Indian privacy regulations (Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023) and, where applicable, GDPR.
  • Data must be securely stored, anonymized, or pseudonymized before sharing/publication.
  • Plagiarism, data manipulation, or fabrication is strictly prohibited.

7. Community Participation

  • Communities must be consulted before and during research activities.
  • Research findings will be shared back with participants in accessible formats (local language reports, community meetings, infographics).
  • Collaborations with NHM, NTEP, MoHFW, State Health Missions, and academic partners will be prioritized.

8. Conflict of Interest (CoI)

  • Researchers must disclose financial, institutional, or personal conflicts of interest.
  • Funding sources must be transparent and must not influence study outcomes.

9. Publication & Dissemination

  • Research findings must be ethically published in peer-reviewed or open-access platforms.
  • Authorship must follow ICMJE criteria.
  • Negative or inconclusive results should also be published to avoid bias.
  • Proper acknowledgement of participants, funders, and communities is required.

10. Training & Capacity Building

  • All researchers and staff must undergo Research Ethics and GCP training.
  • Regular workshops on informed consent, data management, and responsible authorship will be conducted.

11. Monitoring & Accountability

  • The IEC will monitor research periodically for compliance.
  • Misconduct or ethical violations will lead to disciplinary action, including suspension of research.
  • A whistleblower mechanism will be available for reporting unethical practices.

12. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed every 2 years or earlier if required by law or emerging ethical challenges.

Approved by Board of Director(s): 01 September 2025

Supansha® Development Foundation (SDF)
Registered Office: 13/50, Sethinagar, Gupteshwar Road, Jabalpur – 482008, Madhya Pradesh, India
Email: supansha@supansha.org
Website: www.supansha.org