Proposed regulations from the Department of Education’s Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization Committee could require institutions to establish policies that govern and safeguard research integrity in order to be accredited. The possibility that research integrity policies may be requirements for accreditation as early as July 2027 raises the stakes for institutions to develop clear governance mechanisms to manage AI’s impact on how researchers conduct and present their research.
To support institutions to develop robust policies and governance structures around research integrity and AI, Ithaka S+R is organizing a cohort of 12-15 research universities for a collaborative initiative that will promote better understanding of how AI is being used to conduct and present research across disciplines; identify and prioritize governance, policy, and resource needs; and improve coordination and collaboration among stakeholders and relevant university units.
Project phases
- Learning. Participants will conduct an audit of existing policies and guidance on AI in research and develop a practical working map to identify needs and opportunities.
- Data collecting. With training from Ithaka S+R experts, institutions will conduct semi-structured interviews with faculty to understand their needs and experiences.
- Testing. Participants will develop and pilot a faculty-facing support prototype to address the needs identified in the first two project phases and create a foundation for future scaling of support services related to research integrity.
- Sharing. Institutions will convene for a cross-campus showcase to share models, prototypes, and reflect on lessons learned.
What you will gain
- Evidence-based research insights to drive strategy and decision making
- An actionable roadmap for AI and research integrity that is specialized for your campus
- Support and guidance from Ithaka S+R’s team of experts and researchers
- Collaboration with a network of peer institutions navigating similar challenges
- Cross-institution synthesis of insights to inform campus practice
Commitment and cost
Each project team will contribute a total of approximately 3-4 weeks FTE over the course of the project, to be distributed at the discretion of the team. This includes time spent at virtual workshops and convening, recruiting and conducting project interviews and other research activities, and other project-related activities.
To defray the costs of organizing and coordinating the cohort, creating shared research instruments, conducting data collection and analysis, and other activities, each institution will make a cost-sharing contribution. See the full prospectus for more information.
Interested in participating?
This cohort will launch in the fall of 2026. If your institution is interested in participating, send an expression of interest to Dylan Ruediger (dylan.ruediger@ithaka.org) by September 1, 2026.
Explore other open opportunities to join Ithaka S+R AI cohorts for higher education.
Ithaka S+R is a not-for-profit research organization dedicated to improving access to knowledge. The project will be led by Dr. Catharine Bond Hill, former president of Vassar College, and Dr. Dylan Ruediger, principal for the Research Enterprise, who has collaborated with over 100 universities on issues related to AI and academic research.