What qualifies a research study to be considered federally funded?

A research study is considered federally funded when it receives financial support from any U.S. federal agency. This includes a wide range of funding sources such as grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements provided by agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and other federal entities. The distinction is important because federally funded studies are subject to specific regulations and ethical guidelines designed to protect human subjects, including compliance with the Common Rule and the requirement for Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval.

The funding must originate from a recognized federal agency, ensuring that the study adheres to federal standards for research ethics and accountability. This definition does not encompass research conducted solely in academic environments, research by government employees, or projects that meet state funding criteria, as these may not involve federal oversight or conform to federal regulations governing human subjects research. Therefore, the criteria for federally funded research specifically hinges on the source of the funding being a federal agency.