All Temple University Principal Investigators (PIs) must comply with all Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) policies and consult with OVPR early in their project planning, especially when working with high-consequence pathogens or sensitive technologies. Ongoing awareness and collaboration help ensure that the university remains a responsible steward of federally funded research.
2014 DURC Policy
The following policy is currently in effect.
New DURC Policy Upgrade (Currently On Hold)
On May 5, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order on Improving the Safety and Security of Biological Research in the United States, which has paused the previously planned rollout of the policy changes to Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) which were scheduled for implementation on May 6, 2025 by the previous administration.
Please refer to the following OVPR memos for more information.
New DURC Policy (Currently On Hold)
Effective May 2025, a new federal policy will strengthen oversight of Dual Use Research of Concern (DURC) and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (PEPP). The goal of this policy is to promote the responsible conduct of high-consequence research while protecting public health, safety, and national security.
Requirements for Temple PIs
Principal Investigators are responsible for ensuring that their research complies with the federal DURC/PEPP regulations. The following resources provide essential guidance:
The Research Compliance Office will provide more guidance regarding new regulations as soon as the policy becomes available. In the interim, the IRE and IBC Committees at TU will review research involving DURC on a case-by-case basis.