Acknowledging VA Support

The VA provides tremendous support for research, education, and service activities related to health care. In the letter below, Stephan D. Fihn, MD, MPH (Acting Chief Research and Development Officer) outlines the requirements for appropriate acknowledgement.

Periodically, we in the Office of Research and Development (ORD) and officials in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) become aware of publications, presentations, and/or media interviews by VA investigators in which VA support is improperly acknowledged or not acknowledged at all. When this occurs, it deprives VA of due credit and reflects badly upon VA Research and upon the individual investigator. I must emphasize to all investigators and research administrators in the field the requirement for proper acknowledgement of VA research support.

Current VHA policy regarding appropriate acknowledgement of VA research support is published in VHA Handbook 1200.19 (dated June 19, 2001). Following are excerpts from the handbook that form the basic framework for appropriate acknowledgement.

• The requirement to appropriately acknowledge VA support extends to all forms of research results, including publications, presentation, media interviews, and other professional activities in which the results of research are formally presented.
• This requirement extends to all research results where either direct or indirect support for research emanated from VA, either in the form of research funding, resources such as space or patients, or as a result of the investigator's full-time, part-time, or without compensation (WOC) appointment. The requirement applies to all research services within the ORD -- Biomedical Laboratory R&D Service, Clinical Science R&D Service, Health Services R&D Service, and Rehabilitation R&D Service.
• VA must be acknowledged first when:
  1. the investigator has a 5/8ths or more VA appointment (regardless of the source of funding/administration of funding;
  2. work was funded primarily (50% or more) by VA resources, either directly or directly;
  3. the research was conducted primarily in VA facilities;
  4. the first author is a junior scientist (e.g., resident, fellow trainee) who, although his/her salary may not have been provided by VA, used primarily VA funding or facilities, or whose mentor was primarily funded/employed by VA.
• Two of the research services within ORD -- Health Services R&D Service and Rehabilitation R&D Service -- have further requirements for publication of research results that apply to investigators funded by those services.
• I should emphasize that this policy applies to research that is funded by other agencies (e.g., NIH) when the investigator derives most or all of his or her salary from VA. Simply stated, it does not make sense to provide primary acknowledgement to a University affiliate for research funded by NIH when the investigator is paid by VA.

Although it is true that in many cases, a University public relations office, an agent from the media, or even a medical journal editor resists listing VA first, this does not obviate the requirement for collaborating with this policy. VA investigators must insist upon proper acknowledgement of VA support.

In times of austere funding for the research program, it is particularly imperative that investigators comply with this policy. Public officials as well as the general public have a right to know how appropriated research dollars are spent and the benefits derived from those funds. We depend heavily on appropriate attribution to enhance awareness of VA research locally, nationally, and particularly within the executive and legislative branches of government in Washington, DC. Proper compliance with this policy by investigators allows VA to receive the credit it deserves for its scientific contributions, enhancing our potential for continued support.

I feel strongly about the simple act of acknowledging one's source of research support. I know that you agree that fulfilling this requirement is vitally important to the future success of the VA research program. We should all be very proud of the VA research program. Thanks for your efforts and for your valuable contributions to VA research,

Stephan D. Fihn, MD, MPH

Acting Chief Research and Development Officer

Where does the MIRECC citation go?

If you receive salary support as a core investigator or Fellow, research or educational funding, or MIRECC services (e.g., MIDAS consultation or a provided Res Assis), you should acknowledge the MIRECC when publishing or presenting your work. 

 

The MIRECC is considered part of the VA.  Some people choose to list MIRECC as an affiliation (can go before or after local acknowledgements). Others cite their local VA as their VA affiliation and acknowledge support from the MIRECC in a footnote. Either is fine.

 

Here is an example of the MIRECC listed as an affiliation:
“South Central Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center (MIRECC), Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, North Little Rock, AR”

Here is an example of an appropriate acknowledgement of MIRECC support:

"This work was supported in part by the VA South Central (VISN 16) Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center."