Research institutions that are unable to fully implement the DFG Code of Conduct “Guidelines for Safeguarding Good Research Practice” under their own responsibility due to their organisational structure, constitutional structure or other circumstances may implement the Code by way of a cooperation model. Under this model, an institution affiliates itself with the legally binding implementation carried out by another institution and recognises that implementation as binding upon itself.

The DFG now provides an updated non-binding template cooperation agreement for this purpose. The template is based on experience gained from previous implementation practice and is intended to support institutions in giving legally binding form to cooperative implementation.

In particular, the cooperation agreement must govern the applicable rules of good research practice, access to ombudspersons and the procedure in cases of suspected scientific misconduct. The template also contains further optional areas of regulation, including data protection, confidentiality, payment of costs and liability.

The template is available as a form on the DFG website(externer Link).