Last Updated: 01/09/2026​

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The Science Integrity Alliance (SIA) welcomes external funding that supports our mission to advance research integrity, Open Science, and responsible research practices worldwide.

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1. Principles​

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All funding must align with SIA’s core values of integrity, transparency, accountability, and independence.
 

SIA does not accept support from interests whose involvement could, in practice or perception, compromise its independence, credibility, or the integrity of its work.

Financial contributions, whether from individuals, institutions, or partner entities, do not grant any influence over SIA’s strategic direction, decision-making, or day-to-day operations. These decisions rest exclusively with the Governing Authority, supported by independent input from Advisory Bodies, as described in SIA’s Governance Framework.

Funding sources are intentionally diversified to avoid over-reliance on any single funder and to ensure autonomy in all strategic and operational decisions.

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2. Funding Model

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Diversified revenue sources support SIA's financial sustainability:

• Founder funding: Initial platform development and operations (start-up phase).

• Subscriptions: Platform operations and resource development.

• Advertising and sponsorship: Platform operations and outreach.

• Merchandise sales: General operations and community engagement.

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Following its start-up phase, SIA will transition to a hybrid structure in 2026. The company will convert to a Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) that will manage services and subscriptions, while the Partnership Program will operate as a fiscally sponsored nonprofit project, allowing it to receive U.S. tax-deductible donations and grants. Revenue generated by the PBC may also support the Partnership Program’s initiatives through arm’s-length, documented transfers consistent with fiscal sponsor requirements, while charitable funds remain dedicated to their intended purpose. All assets and outputs developed with charitable funds remain held in charitable trust. A standalone nonprofit is projected for 2029, once the Partnership Program has the capacity to sustain independent charitable operations. The PBC and charitable pathway will remain structurally separate but strategically aligned to advance shared public-benefit goals, consistent with SIA's Governance Framework.

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3. Independence and Decision-Making

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SIA’s activities, priorities, partnerships, and collaborative projects are determined by the Governing Authority, informed by high-level, non-governing advice from the Advisory Bodies.

Funders and supporters, whether financial or in-kind, play no role in determining:

• Whom SIA collaborates with or supports,

• How SIA allocates resources or subscription fees,

• What services or programs SIA delivers, or

• How SIA’s governance or operational processes are carried out.

Participation in the Partnership Program or any subscription does not grant governance authority, decision-making influence, or legal partnership status. No private benefit or private inurement, whether direct or indirect, may result from participation in the Partnership Program or from donations and grants received through its fiscal sponsor.

4. Use of Subscription Revenue

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Subscription fees constitute unrestricted revenue, allocated solely by SIA's Governing Authority. Fees support platform operations, educational resources, and collaborative projects that advance research integrity.

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Subscription fees are not considered charitable donations or grants and are not tax-deductible. Subscribers have no authority to direct or earmark how their fees are allocated.

5. Due Diligence and Review

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Paid advertising and sponsorships are accepted only from sources whose involvement does not compromise, and cannot reasonably be perceived as compromising, SIA’s independence, credibility, or the integrity of its work. SIA reserves the right to decline, suspend, or terminate any advertising agreement where participation could reasonably be expected to undermine its mission, independence, or public-benefit purpose.

SIA conducts a review and approval process for Partnership Program applications to ensure alignment with its mission, independence standards, and public-benefit commitments. Partners may become eligible to participate in collaborative activities supported through the Partnership Program, subject to the scope, objectives, and funding conditions of specific initiatives as they develop.

Decisions regarding participation in the Partnership Program are made by SIA in accordance with its Governance Framework and, once fiscal sponsorship is in place, are subject to the policies, requirements, and oversight of the fiscal sponsor. Funding received through the Partnership Program, including donations and grants, will be administered in accordance with fiscal sponsor policies.

To safeguard integrity, members of SIA’s leadership, advisory bodies, staff, contractors, and participating partners are required to disclose any interests that could influence, or appear to influence, their engagement with SIA, in accordance with SIA’s Confidentiality and Competing Interests Policy.

6. Transparency and Oversight

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SIA believes that transparency about funding enhances trust in its work and helps demonstrate accountability to the global research integrity community.

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Following SIA’s transition to a hybrid structure, the Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) will establish a Governance, Risk Management, and Compliance (GRC) Committee to advise on transparency practices, risk management, and compliance, including oversight of resource allocation processes, and a Social Impact Committee to assess the societal relevance and public-interest impact of SIA’s funded activities.

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The PBC will publish Public Benefit Reports annually, exceeding the biennial legal requirement, and make them publicly accessible on its website. Reports will cover the preceding calendar year and will disclose activities undertaken in support of SIA’s mission and their impact, future plans, sources of financial support and how revenue was allocated, a financial overview for the year, and information about governance and decision-making.

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The Partnership Program, operating as a fiscally sponsored nonprofit project, will be subject to the oversight and compliance requirements of its fiscal sponsor. For more information on the planned transition, see SIA's Governance Framework.

7. Confidentiality and Data Protection

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While committed to transparency about funding and operations, SIA protects personal and confidential information in accordance with its Privacy Policy and Confidentiality and Competing Interests Policy.

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SIA does not share private information about individuals or organizations, except for information voluntarily made public through Partnership Program applications or account settings, or as required by applicable law, a court order, or regulatory obligation.

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8. Contact

For questions about this Funding Policy or SIA's funding model, contact contactus@sci-integrity.com.