Key Research Funding Principles

In addition to the guiding principles of the National Research and Knowledge Transfer Strategy, all research projects funded by Dairy Farmers of Canada are subject to the Key Research Funding Principles in order to ensure the quality and the independence of the research:

Scientific Integrity

• Research funding is based on a competitive process that utilizes a committee of external researchers to evaluate the projects. Projects are selected based on scientific merit and alignment with research priorities and available budget.
• The Principal Investigator maintains independence in all aspects related to the research and data, including the study design and the conduct of the research; the collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data; the decision to publish the findings and the preparation and approval of the peer-reviewed manuscripts.
• Research must abide by the legal and ethical principles pertaining to human and animal subjects. Ethics approval by the institutional review board is required. 

Transparency

• Prior to the commencement of the research, the Principal Investigator and Dairy Farmers of Canada will enter into a research agreement that clearly outlines the rights, obligations and responsibilities of both parties.
• The Principal Investigator should use his/her best effort to obtain publication of the research findings in a peer-reviewed journal, in a timely manner, irrespective of the outcome.
• Dairy Farmers of Canada does not offer remuneration geared to the outcome of the project.
• Full disclosure of all financial interests in a research project is required in all publications and presentations by researchers as well as by Dairy Farmers of Canada.
• The Principal Investigator cannot participate in undisclosed paid authorship arrangements in Dairy Farmers of Canada-funded publications or presentations.
• Human trials should be registered in a recognized registry (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov).