A Research Participation Agreement (RPA) helps students, faculty and staff at Memorial understand their rights and responsibilities if they choose to participate in research that involves a sponsor or partner outside of the university. If you choose to participate in such a project, you are required to complete an RPA before you begin working on the project.

RPA Process

• The Research, Initiatives & Services (RIS) office informs RIO that a given project may require students and non-MUNFA staff working on the project to sign an RPA.
• RIO contacts the project’s Principal Investigator (PI) to inquire if there will be any students and/or non-MUNFA staff working on the project.
• RIO contacts the student(s) and/or non-MUNFA staff, arranges a meeting time and gives an overview of the RPA document and the contract between Memorial University and the third-party sponsor.
• Upon receipt of the signed RPA, RIO uploads the document to ROMEO, under the project’s file number and informs the project’s PI that the student or non-MUNFA staff has signed the RPA.
• If any student(s) and/or non-MUNFA staff join the project after the initial RPAs have been signed, it is the responsibility of the PI to inform RIO so that the student(s) and/or non-MUNFA staff can begin the RPA process.
• An RPA helps university members understand their obligations to sponsors or partners outside of Memorial.
• Sometimes sponsors or partners have some claim over the research results - it is important to understand how this will affect your work.
• You will be informed when an RPA is required for your project.
• You can choose whether you wish to participate in research that involves a sponsor or partner.