Certificates of Confidentiality Kiosk

Certificates of Confidentiality constitute an important tool to protect the privacy of research study participants. Thus, NIH would like to encourage their appropriate use. NIH is making information widely available to investigators working on sensitive biomedical, behavioral, clinical or other types of research at this Certificate Kiosk. Information may get added to this site periodically. Readers are encourage to check back periodically.

Certificates of Confidentiality are issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to protect identifiable research information from forced disclosure. They allow the investigator and others who have access to research records to refuse to disclose identifying information on research participants in any civil, criminal, administrative, legislative, or other proceeding, whether at the federal, state, or local level. Certificates of Confidentiality may be granted for studies collecting information that if disclosed could have adverse consequences for subjects or damage their financial standing, employability, insurability, or reputation. By protecting researchers and institutions from being compelled to disclose information that would identify research subjects, Certificates of Confidentiality help achieve the research objectives and promote participation in studies by assuring confidentiality and privacy to participants. For more information, see below.

Certificates of Confidentiality Information:

• NIH Guide Notice (03/15/2002) - NIH Announces Statement on Certificates of Confidentiality.



• Background Information (07/21/2003) - Detailed Background Information on Certificates of Confidentiality.



• Frequently Asked Questions (07/21/2003) - Listing of Frequently Asked Questions on Certificates of Confidentiality that will be updated as new questions are received. Please check back periodically for new questions and answers.



• Slide Presentation (05/03/2002) - Slide presentation on Certificates of Confidentiality, in HTML and PowerPoint formats.



• Extramural Projects - Application Instructions (03/15/2002) - Detailed Application Instructions for Certificate of Confidentiality Involving Extramural Research Projects.



• Intramural Projects - Application Instructions (03/15/2002) - Detailed Application Instructions for Certificate of Confidentiality Involving Intramural Research Projects.



• Contacts List (05/21/2004) - NIH staff who you can contact for additional information.



• Reporting of Communicable Diseases Policy (08/09/1991) - Memorandum from the Assistant Secretary for Health on Disease Reporting relating to Certificates of Confidentiality.