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Office of Research and Innovation

COVID-19 Research Continuity

University leadership continues to monitor worldwide COVID-19 disease-related developments. Important information and updates for the broader campus are provided through NC State’s Coronavirus Response website.

While the university has returned to full capacity in research spaces, research leadership continues to provide guidance using a phased approach in response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.

Current Guidelines

Phase IV-A guidelines (begins 8/11/21): All research activities are allowed in research spaces. Face coverings must continue to be worn in research space. This requirement will be revisited after the first several weeks of the semester.

See Full Memo 

Face coverings: Face coverings are currently required in all research spaces. This requirement will be revisited after the first three weeks of the Fall 2021 semester.

Maximum occupancy limit: No current maximum occupancy limit.

Undergraduate students in research space: Undergraduate students are allowed in research spaces.

Visitors in research space: Visitors are allowed in research spaces. As a reminder, it is a standard best practice to keep a log of visitors entering and accessing research spaces. 

Minors in research space: Minors are allowed in research spaces.

For information about guidelines for general university space please see this document.

Phase I guidelines (5/18/20-6/7/20): Colleges will approve which projects are appropriate for restart. In the first phase of research restart, research spaces (labs and facilities) will not be allowed to be occupied beyond 35% of capacity, with a minimum of 250 square feet per occupant.

Phase II guidelines (6/8/20 – 7/12/20): All research restart requests will allow for a minimum of one person regardless of the size of the room. When there is more than one occupant in a room, research restart requests must allow for a minimum of 200 square feet per occupant. You may use up to 100% of your assigned research space (labs and facilities) provided the layout and equipment allow appropriate physical distancing among all occupants at all times. During this phase, there will be a max of 10 occupants allowed at one time regardless of the size of the space.

Phase III guidelines (began 7/13/20): All research activities will be considered for return to campus but must be approved by the department, college associate dean for research and the Office of Research and Innovation. Research restart requests will allow for a minimum of one person regardless of the size of the room. When there is more than one occupant in a room, research restart requests must allow for a minimum of 200 square feet per occupant.

Phase III-B guidelines (began 9/14/20): All research activities will continue to be considered for return to campus but must be approved by the department, college associate dean for research and the Office of Research and Innovation. Research restart requests will allow for a minimum of one person regardless of the size of the room. During Phase III-B a minimum of 150 square feet is required per occupant in research spaces with a maximum limit of 15 occupants at a given time regardless of the size of the space. Refer to the faculty guide for Phase III-B to help guide decisions and understand the process for returning to campus.

Phase III-C guidelines (began 3/29/21): All research activities will continue to be considered for return to campus but must be approved by the department, college associate dean for research and the Office of Research and Innovation. Research restart requests will allow for a minimum of one person regardless of the size of the room. During Phase III-C a minimum of 100 square feet is required per occupant in research spaces with a maximum limit of 25 occupants at a given time regardless of the size of the space.

Phase IV guidelines (began 6/1/21): All research activities will be allowed with no occupancy density requirement in research spaces. Face coverings are required in all research spaces. A maximum limit of 100 occupants will be allowed at a given time regardless of the size of the space.

Resources

We have gathered some information below to assist in conducting research during the continuing pandemic.

  • To submit research delivery exception requests, please refer to the information on this page.
  • Information about amending your human subject research (IRB) protocol to continue virtual research activities and submitting new protocols to the IRB please find can be found here.
  • If an NC State employee observes something that compromises the health and well-being of themselves or others, they can make an anonymous report using the university’s Ethics Point hotline.
  • Environmental Health and Safety have created a guide for supervisors of employees that have tested positive or presumed sick.
  • Employees that have been diagnosed with COVID-19 should use the self-reporting tool.
  • Find an on-campus testing facility. Testing is available free of charge to all students, faculty and staff.
  • Vaccination is widely and easily available on campus free of charge to all students, alumni, faculty and staff and their families.
  • Beginning Monday, Aug. 16, all students, faculty and staff who will be on campus (or at any NC State owned or operated location across the state) for any reason must provide proof of vaccination or they will be required to participate in weekly surveillance testing on campus.
Research-Related COVID-19 Questions