Office of Research Compliance Administration

A woman looking at a feather in her hand.

Collaborating with researchers to protect the rights of research subjects, the research environment, and the community

UC Santa Cruz is committed to conducting research with adherence to the highest ethical and legal standards. The Office of Research Compliance Administration (ORCA) works collaboratively with UC Santa Cruz researchers and our research community to ensure our research is conducted in an ethical and responsible manner. Our team provides broad oversight, resources, and support for integrity and compliance issues relating to the conduct of research.

It is the responsibility of all members of the UC Santa Cruz research community to be familiar with the governmental regulations and university policies related to the conduct of research.

ORCA provides support and expertise in areas of research integrity and research compliance.

What we do

Research integrity

  • Export control
  • Foreign engagement
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Research misconduct
  • Responsible conduct of research
  • Research security and research data guidance

Research compliance

  • Animal care and use (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee – IACUC)
  • Cannabis research
  • Human Research Protections Program (Institutional Review Board – IRB)
  • Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA)
  • Stem cell research
Last modified: Jan 22, 2024