"Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice"

The aim of the Code of Conduct "Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice" is to enable addressees – researchers and the heads of research institutions – to align their internal structures, processes and actions with the guidelines of good research practice while at the same time establishing a positive culture of research integrity that is geared towards researchers’ professional work ethic.

Since the Code of Conduct came into force on 1 August 2019, all research institutions have been required to implement the 19 guidelines and their explanations in a legally binding manner as a prerequisite for receiving DFG funding. A transitional period of four years applied to institutions that were already implementing the previously valid regulations set out in the DFG memorandum  "Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice". 

• For information on implementing the Code of Conduct, see the Research Integrity portal.
• See here for PDF versions of the Code of Conduct in German and in English. 
• Printed copies of the Code of Conduct can be ordered through Press and Public Relations on 0228 885-2109 or presse@dfg.de.

The Predecessor to the Code of Conduct

As long ago as 1998, the DFG issued a memorandum entitled "Safeguarding Good Scientific Practice" in which it set out standards of research integrity that met with general consensus. Based on this memorandum, a comprehensive system of self-monitoring was established for the research community. An amendment and update of the memorandum was adopted by the DFG General Assembly in 2013, and the memorandum was replaced by the Code of Conduct in August 2019.

Printed copies of the memorandum can be ordered through Press and Public Relations on 0228 885-2109 or presse@dfg.de.