Ethics And Due Deligence

GrantsNow offers dynamic form creation and attachment capabilities for due diligence checks. Users can easily create custom confirmation forms and checklists tailored to their specific proposal requirements.

GrantsNow - Ethics and Due Diligence Feature - Image of a business man shaking a clients hand in an office with a laptop on the table
GN Website Images – Ethics and Due Diligence

Key features include

Confirmation forms and checklists can be attached at any stage of the proposal process within GrantsNow.  

  • This flexibility allows for seamless integration of due diligence & Ethics checks into the proposal workflow.  
  • Users can design confirmation forms that capture essential information related to the proposal’s compliance, eligibility, and accuracy.  
  • Dynamic checklists can be created to outline the necessary documentation, tasks, and steps needed for due diligence.  
  • Users can define specific items that need verification, ensuring a comprehensive review process.  
  • GrantsNow can automate the process of sending reminders to applicants to complete and submit the required confirmation forms and checklists.  
  • This reduces manual follow-up and ensures timely completion of due diligence tasks.  

Ethics

GrantsNow provides an easily configurable platform to meet ethical integrity, compliance with regulations, and responsible research practices.

  

1. Governance & Oversight

  • Research Ethics Committees (RECs) – Internal & External bodies reviewing and approving research proposals. 
  • Ethical Policies & Frameworks – Institutional guidelines ensuring research aligns with ethical principles (e.g., respect, integrity, and justice). 
  • Regulatory Compliance – Adherence to UK legal and regulatory standards, such as the UK GDPR, the Human Tissue Act 2004, and guidelines from bodies like the Health Research Authority (HRA) and UK Research Integrity Office (UKRIO). 

2. Ethics Review & Approval Processes

  • Ethical Risk Assessment – Evaluation of potential risks to participants, researchers, and society. 
  • Application & Review Workflow – A structured system for submitting research ethics applications and receiving approvals. 
  • Informed Consent Management – Ensuring participants fully understand the research, risks, and their rights before consenting. 

3. Data Protection & Participant Welfare

  • Confidentiality & Anonymity – Protection of participant data in line with UK GDPR and institutional policies. 
  • Safeguarding & Risk Mitigation – Measures to protect vulnerable participants and mitigate harm. 
GrantsNow - Ethics and Due Diligence Feature Images - Data Security - Person using the computer

4. Monitoring, Reporting & Accountability 

  • Ethics Compliance Reporting– Ongoing monitoring of  research projects to ensure adherence to ethical standards. 
  • Whistleblowing & Reporting Mechanisms – Confidential systems for reporting unethical research practices. 

Due Diligence

Organisational Vetting & Application Governance checks 

Use the organisational assessment and vetting workflow to thoroughly review the organisation you are working with. Eg a New Funder or Research Partner. 

  • Determine the level of risk related to an organisation and present this information to support decision-making on projects, contracts, and ethics applications. 
  • Assess and review self-identified risks to enhance decision-making. 
  • Use self-assessment questionnaires to determine the level of risk, ensuring approvers are aware of key risk or compliance issues in an application. 
  • Highlight risk, compliance, and scope concerns to support informed decision-making. 
  • Analyse summary-level risk indicators in detail to understand the factors contributing to the overall risk in your applications. 
  • Utilise easy-to-use assessment tools to evaluate institutional risks and compliance.
  • Identify key risk, compliance, and scope issues relevant to your institution using the assessment tools. 
  • Risk indicators will flag areas requiring further scrutiny or consideration when deciding on research funding, contractual agreements, and research scope. 
  • Assign due diligence responsibilities to enable individuals to manage risk levels and assess relationships with countries and organisations.