A Companion Guide, entitled Tools for the Identification, Assessment, Management, and Responsible Communication of Dual Use Research of Concern, has been developed to assist institutions, investigators, and Institutional Review Entities in the development of policies and practices for the effective oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and in the execution of some of the required steps for institutional review and oversight. Sections of the Companion Guide are intended for different audiences, depending on who is involved at different stages in the process for institutional review and oversight of DURC.
The Companion Guide’s appendices include a set of documents intended to assist institutions and others in understanding DURC and the DURC oversight policies more fully. The Companion Guide’s appendices also help guide the implementation of different policy requirements. Use of the templates provided in the appendices is completely optional, and, if used, institutions may edit and amend the templates to fit their needs. This Companion Guide will be updated, as warranted, based on the experience of institutions and US government funding agencies in implementing the Policy for Institutional DURC Oversight and the March 2012 DURC Policy.
To assist researchers and institutions in implementing and complying with the policy, a number of other education and training tools have been developed. These include:
- Case studies which demonstrate the type of analysis that should be brought to bear during institutional reviews of DURC and highlight important administrative steps in the DURC review process;
- Frequently Asked Questions on the U.S. Government Policy for Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences DURC
- Training slide set which provides an overview of the U.S. Government Policy for Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC). The slides may be used to promote understanding of the issues associated with dual use research in the life sciences; highlight the importance of the need for responsible conduct and oversight of such research, and educate on the specific requirements of individuals and entities under the Policy;
- Investigator brochure outlining the responsibilities of investigators under the September 2014 Policy; and
- Educational poster that may be used promote the existence of the policy and who to contact locally.
Copies of the brochure, slides and the poster may be requested by emailing DURC@od.nih.gov.
On July 22, 2015, there was a Stakeholder Engagement Workshop for the USG Policy on Institutional Oversight of Life Sciences Dual Use Research of Concern, which included several additional resources.
