Gift Acceptance Policy
The work of the Heartland Health Research Alliance (HHRA) is supported by tax-deductible donations. Subject to the provisions of this Gift Acceptance Policy, HHRA accepts gifts and grants from outside of HHRA from charitable foundations, private individuals, and companies.
In addition, HHRA competes for and accepts funding from government agencies.
Assuring Scientific Independence
HHRA will not accept any gifts or grants that are awarded on the condition that the donor be permitted to control or influence the conduct of ongoing research or how research data are compiled, analyzed, and reported.
Project proposals and award documents may specify general topics, the type of project being funded (e.g. biomonitoring, cohort studies), and the amounts of funding dedicated to certain activities (clinical research, lab testing, graduate fellowships, extramural research). However, once a gift is accepted, donors will have no ongoing role in directing how donated funds are spent, how research and other activities are carried out, and how or when results are communicated and disseminated.
HHRA will share the results of its work, regardless of whether the results support, refute, or fail to answer the hypotheses tested or the issues addressed. Openness in sharing all results, expected and unexpected, is essential in advancing science.
Acceptance of Anonymous Gifts and Grants
Some donors prefer to keep their philanthropic activities private to the degree allowed by law. HHRA honors such requests as long as the donor permits HHRA to disclose the existence of an anonymous gift and the gift amount and time period.
As needed in routine reports and on the HHRA website, the source of such gifts will be described in a general way that has been discussed with and approved by the donor(e.g. “This gift is provided by a family-run foundation in the Midwest supporting work on agriculture’s impacts on the environment”).
All gifts from for-profit corporations will be disclosed.
Gifts, Grants, and Research Partnerships with Companies
For-profit corporate funding currently plays a significant and growing role in many aspects of food and fiber system innovation. Such funding often accounts for a sizable share of the extramural funding supporting academic research and education projects focused on agricultural chemicals, animal drugs, food quality, and how farming systems and inputs impact the environment and public health. This is especially true in the land-grant system of agricultural colleges and universities.
HHRA will pursue and accept funding from private, for-profit companies who agree to adhere to this Policy. HHRA will also welcome, and when appropriate, accept opportunities to participate in jointly sponsored research projects receiving private sector support, provided adherence is assured to all applicable provisions in this Policy.
HHRA will not accept gifts for projects in which a for-profit corporate donor: (a) retains the ability to influence the conduct of the science, and when and how research outcomes are reported publicly, and (b) stands to benefit or potentially lose something of value (e.g. money, a marketing advantage, intellectual property) as a result of the outcome of a specific research project or program.
Litigation Independence
HHRA will not accept any gifts or grants that are awarded on the condition that the donor be permitted to control or influence the conduct of ongoing research or how research data are compiled, analyzed, and reported.
HHRA does not conduct scientific research for the purpose of supporting litigation or predetermined legal claims. Scientific activities, research priorities, publication decisions, and public communications shall remain independent from litigation strategy or legal advocacy.
While individuals affiliated with HHRA may independently serve as expert witnesses or consultants in legal proceedings, such activities shall not direct or influence HHRA’s institutional scientific agenda, methodologies, analyses, or reporting practice.
Policy Changes
The Board of Directors shall periodically review this Policy to ensure continued alignment with HHRA’s mission, scientific integrity standards, governance responsibilities, legal obligations, and evolving operational needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About HHRA’s Gift Acceptance Policy
Click on any of the questions below to open up the answer.
HHRA is mindful of skepticism associated with public-health research sponsored by for-profit companies and corporations. Concern is especially acute in the case of projects in which a for-profit corporate donor: (a) retains the ability to influence the conduct of the science, and when and how research outcomes are reported publicly, and (b) stands to benefit or potentially lose something of value (e.g. money, a marketing advantage, intellectual property) as a result of the outcome of a specific research project or program.
Some foundations and trusts are organized as not-for-profit corporations and are not associated with the same problems and skepticism.
Yes, several. For-profit corporate funding often comes with conditions. Some grant documents specify details of experimental design, identify data that can be gathered and questions addressed, while also specifically ruling out the collection of other information and certain analytical activities.
Corporate grant provisions often require that preliminary results must be shared first, and privately, with for-profit corporate sponsors. Sometimes contracts assure sponsors a chance to review publications before submission. In other cases, intellectual property provisions are included that limit what scientists can do with new research data and insights.
HHRA will not accept such conditions.
Studies show that for-profit corporate funding does sometimes impact the outcome of research and how it is reported and used. A key goal of HHRA’s Gift Acceptance Policy, coupled with our commitment to transparency and accountability, is avoiding any such preconditions, perceptions, and concerns.
People, foundations, and companies donate funding for research on issues and challenges they care about. Through their donations, they have a direct impact on the topics that scientists have an opportunity to work on and address. But once funding is disbursed, donor involvement should come to an end and donors should exercise no ongoing control over how research is conducted and/or how results are communicated. HHRA’s policy is designed to assure this outcome.
The task of assuring that HHRA supports high-quality, rigorous science can best be assured through full and open adherence to conflict of interest and funding disclosures, peer-review, and engagement with the scientific and other communities interested in HHRA’s work.
Over time the quality, balance, and impact of our science will determine whether questions and concerns over bias or objectivity become an impediment in our work. If such concerns arise, HHRA will revisit this and other relevant policies and make needed adjustments promptly.
For three primary reasons. First, corporations have both resources and motivation to invest in independent public-health research, and many are aligned with the goals of HHRA and willing to abide by HHRA’s gift policy.
Second, individuals and companies engaged in the food and agricultural sectors have specialized knowledge about the causes of problems that arise as a result of farming system choices and related public policies and priorities. They also often have unique insights into how farmers can lighten agriculture’s environmental footprint and/or pursue options to improve food safety and food nutritional quality.
Third, farmers and ranchers, corporate officials, technical specialists working for companies, salespeople, and support personnel doing business along farm-to-consumer value chains will make future decisions to embrace or resist change. Cooperative work with HHRA and routine exchange of information will hopefully deepen their understanding of public health benefits attainable through farming system innovation. Likewise, their involvement in our work will sharpen our understanding of hurdles slowing down the adoption of new systems and technology known to improve public health outcomes and enhance environmental quality.
Over time the quality, balance, and impact of our science will determine whether questions and concerns over bias or objectivity become an impediment in our work. If such concerns arise, HHRA will revisit this and other relevant policies and make needed adjustments promptly.
Yes, as long as donors are willing to adhere to HHRA’s Gift Acceptance Policy.