Code of Conduct

Date Approved: 12/11/2025
Date of Last Update: 12/11/2025
Version: 1.0

Scope

The ADSP Code of Conduct establishes general expectations for ADSP members and guests attending ADSP meetings and events. These expectations are in addition to and do not supersede requirements of the NIH, NIA, respective data repositories and data coordinating centers that comprise responsible data usage of the data collections generated and utilized by the ADSP. More specific expectations and procedures for members are set in other ADSP and Data Repository policies (e.g., see Related Policies below). Mechanisms to report conduct violations are also addressed.

ADSP Code of Conduct

The following Code of Conduct sets expectations for all ADSP members and guests (henceforth, “Signatory”) with respect to four principles: 

  1. Maintaining open communication, confidentiality, and non-disclosure
  2. Cultivating a collaborative environment
  3. Ensuring responsible use of participant data
  4. Adhering to all ADSP policies and procedures 

Individuals must agree to abide by this Code of Conduct as a condition of becoming an ADSP member and gaining access to the internal ADSP website (adseq.org). Individuals interacting with the ADSP in other circumstances (e.g. a guest speaker attending an otherwise closed ADSP meeting) may also be required to sign this Code of Conduct or an abbreviated version thereof. 

This Code of Conduct incorporates the Guiding Principles established in the 2022 ADSP Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). 

Open communication, confidentiality, and non-disclosure

The ADSP operates with a culture of “no surprises.” Open, transparent, and timely sharing of both scientific (e.g., in-progress or otherwise unpublished scientific work and products) and operational (e.g., governance and decision-making) activities and updates is essential to collaborative science in the ADSP. The following assurances are to provide transparency, while also protecting the confidentiality of information that is discussed, presented, or otherwise shared within the ADSP, including materials on the internal (i.e. behind the member log-in) website.

  1. Unless specifically noted otherwise (i.e. by the presenter or event organizer), Signatory will consider as proprietary and confidential all discussions and exchanges occurring during ADSP meetings (including Working Group, Committee, and other Program meetings), along with exchanges of data, presentations, analysis plans, meeting minutes, recordings, manuscripts, and other written materials.
  2. Signatory will seek express permission of the party providing the information before sharing with any non-ADSP member (see Related Policies below for membership definitions).

Collaborative environment

The ADSP is based on a commitment to working collaboratively, with mutual trust and respect among the participating members and guests, which is supported by transparency and fairness in all dealings.

  1. Signatory agrees to uphold a professional and respectful standard of conduct and behavior in all ADSP meetings (in-person and virtual) and communications (written or verbal) with all individuals with whom they interact in their capacity as ADSP members or guests.
  2. Signatory agrees to affirm mutual trust and respect as fundamental tenets of participation in the ADSP and to work with ADSP members and guests in a fair, respectful, and transparent manner.
  3. Signatory agrees to not engage in harassment, intimidation, or discrimination of any form.
  4. Signatory agrees to contribute to ADSP’s commitment to advancing the careers of trainees and early stage investigators and encouraging the next generation of scientists working in AD/ADRD and genomics to build on the results of this collaboration.
  5. To maximize the potential for collaboration, signatory will endeavour to provide timely updates on scientific plans and progress of activities directly related to the ADSP.

Responsible use of participant data

See Related Policies below for information and guidelines on data access, use, and sharing.

  1. Signatory will only access and analyze data for which they have the necessary approval(s)—in most cases via an approved Data Access Request (DAR), or alternatively as a generator/direct provider of a given dataset.
  2. Signatory will follow all regulations, restrictions, and policies associated with their data access approval—e.g. for an approved DAR, NIH Data Use Certification (DUC) agreement, dataset Data Use Limitations (DUL), etc. See also NIAGADS Policies and Guidelines. 

ADSP policies and procedures

Signatory agrees to abide by and stay apprised of all ADSP policy and procedure documents located on the ADSP website, and proactively raise any questions with the Executive Committee, Program Officer(s), and/or ADSP Coordinating Center, as appropriate.

Reporting and violations

Violations of this Code of Conduct shall be reported as soon as possible. Data or participant-related violations or breaches shall be reported to the respective repository/ies in accordance with their data use policies. Any other violations shall be reported to the ADSP Coordinating Center, Executive Committee co-chairs, or an ADSP component PI. If initially reported within an ADSP component, the individual notified shall report to at least one of the other parties mentioned above (CC or one of the Executive Committee co-chairs). Reports can be made anonymously without fear of repercussions and will be treated as confidentially as possible.

Sanctions for violations may range from an initial warning to a period of probation from participating in the ADSP and attending ADSP events/meetings, as well as possible suspension of access to the internal ADSP website and/or ADSP data and resources. The NIH Program Officers and Executive Committee co-chairs will determine the appropriate sanctions. 

Please see also the NIH Safe and Respectful Workplace Policy for more information, including NIH expectations for institutions and individuals, as well as how one can report any violations to NIH.