Field Research Plan

PIs must submit a Field Research Plan (.docx) indicating how researchers will comply with social distancing and hygiene practices (personal protective equipment, cleaning) while conducting field research.

New plans must be submitted to department chairs and/or institute directors for review, with a copy to the academic manager. Once approved at the chair/director level, the plan must be submitted to the Office of the Dean for Research for final review and approval.

Revised plans may be submitted directly to the Office of the Dean for Research with a copy to the department chair and academic manager. 

Instructions

General Instructions

  1. Principal Investigators (PIs) are advised to review the travel guidelines applicable to the dates of their planned research prior to making field research plans to ensure that any necessary travel is permissible.

  2. Principal Investigators (PIs) must prepare a plan for the conduct of field research (Field Research Plan (FRP)).

  3. Complete all sections with sufficient detail and clarity to enable researchers in your research group to conduct communications and understand the health and safety measures in the plan.

  4. You may include additional information at the end of the document in an appendix as needed.

  5. Submit your plan via the process below. The complete plan must be reviewed and receive approval from the Office of the Dean for Research prior to implementing the plan or making any changes to the approved plan.

Submission and Review Process

  1. PIs must submit their plans by email to the department chair or institute director with a copy to the academic manager for review and approval.

  2. The top of the form contains a space for the chair(s)/director(s) to indicate approval. The chair/director will then return the plan to the PI/director, who then submits it to the Office of the Dean for Research by emailing it to [email protected].

  3. PIs with accounts in SHIELD may wish to store a copy there. Field Research Plans for PIs without individual accounts may be maintained in the department account in SHIELD, if so desired by the department.

  4. Plans will be reviewed by EHS for compliance with University COVID-19 safety policies.

Approvals

  1. Upon approval, the Office of the Dean for Research will email the PI with a copy to the department chair/institute director and academic manager.

  2. PIs should communicate the plan to members of the group.

  3. After receiving approval, PIs must ensure that all necessary approvals are in place prior to beginning the field research, including travel approval and registration, IACUC, IRB, IBC, export controls, and local site approvals, as required.

Submit your plan

  • Download the Field Research Plan (.docx).
  • Complete the plan and submit it to the department chair or institute director with a copy to the academic manager for approval.
  • After receiving the plan complete with chair/director's approval, send it via email to [email protected]. PIs may wish to store a copy in their SHIELD account, or in the department SHIELD account. 
  • Upon approval, the Office of the Dean for Research will email the PI with a copy to the department chair/institute director and academic manager.