Code of Conduct

Appendix 1 to Bylaws: Code of Conduct
Approved by GoMRI RB Governance Committee on 18 February 2015
Approved by GoMRI RB on February 19, 2015

Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) Research Board (RB)
GoMRI Management Team (MT) and RB Chief Scientific Officer

PREAMBLE

  • Purpose for serving on the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative (GoMRI) Research Board (RB) and GoMRI Management Team (MT) is the fulfillment of the objectives of GoMRI, including
    • Commitment to generate new scientific knowledge and improved understanding of the predictability of the impact of oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere.
    • Commitment to highest integrity stewardship of GoMRI funds
  • The RB consists of twenty people, ten appointed by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) and ten appointed by BP plc.
    • Unless stated otherwise in the BP-GOMA Master Research Agreement (MRA), the RB shall serve as the decision-making and oversight body regarding the research conducted pursuant to the GoMRI.
    • The MRA gives autonomy to the RB concerning selection of proposals submitted in response to the RB Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and other relevant Announcements of Opportunity (AOs).
    • The MRA stipulates that neither BP nor GOMA may seek to influence the activities of the RB.
    • RB members are expected to serve as individual scientists and not to represent any organization.
    • The RB is an independent advisory group and, thus, does not represent any constituency, stakeholder, or interest group within the governmental, non-governmental, and private sectors.
  • The RB Chief Scientific Officer (RBCSO), who is affiliated with GOMA, is responsible for coordinating science activities under the direction of the RB
  • The MT consists of:
    • GoMRI Administrative Unit, which is composed of personnel affiliated with GOMA and primary subcontractors from the Consortium for Ocean Leadership (COL), the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies, and the Northern Gulf Institute
    • GoMRI Grants Unit, which is composed of personnel affiliated with COL and GOMA
    • RB Administrative Entity, which is composed of personnel affiliated with the American Institute of Biological Sciences
    • RBCSO
    • Additional contractors supporting the work of the MT on RB activities.

CODE OF CONDUCT

  • Each member of the RB and MT associated with the workings of the RB will:
    • Operate with the highest standards of personal integrity and professional scientific objectivity.
    • Select the highest quality science and most appropriate investment proposals submitted in response to RFPs and AOs.
    • Adhere to decision procedures that follow the practice of merit review by peer evaluation, as described in the 2005 Report of the National Science Board (NSB-05-119), or any update thereto.
    • Make every effort to meet the workload expectations of the RB, including conference calls, RB face-to-face meetings, proposal reviews and research project reviews, and other duties as assigned by the Chair.
  • A real or potential conflict of interest by a RB member or by a MT member supporting the work of the RB shall be managed in compliance with the practices of the National Science Foundation, including the practices specified in Form 1230P (2/04) “Conflict of Interests and Confidentiality Statement for NSF Panelists,” included as Appendix 2 in the MRA and the RB conflict of interest policy document (https://gulfresearchinitiative.org/gri-research-board/governance/conflict-of-interest/).
  • Each RB member and MT member supporting RB activities shall:
    • Recuse him/herself from advising or assisting individuals, groups, or institutions with preparation of a proposal to be submitted to the RB.
    • Recuse him/herself during discussions of proposals in which they have a real or potential conflict of interest and for RB members, in which they have a real or potential conflict of interest, from voting on individual proposals submitted to the RB in accordance with the National Science Foundation Board policy (Manual #50). If a real or potential conflict of interest is raised, it will be resolved according to the RB conflict of interest policy document (https://gulfresearchinitiative.org/gri-research-board/governance/conflict-of-interest/).
    • Not benefit financially from any decision of the RB other than acceptance of an annual honorarium for duties accomplished as a RB member and wages for a MT member associated with the workings of the RB.
  • All communications and discussions, including, but not limited to, face-to-face meetings, teleconferences, emails and faxes, by the RB and between the RB and MT will be confidential.
  • There will be an embargo on release of information from the RB and MT before it is made public; this includes policies, RFPs, AOs, etc.
  • The RB Chair will represent the RB to the press, media and other organizations. Members of the RB, MT and RBCSO will not discuss the activities of the RB without consent of the Chair.
  • The RB and MT are subject to the requirements of the MRA. To the extent that any provision of this Code of Conduct conflicts with the MRA, the MRA shall govern.