Research Ethics Policy
Effective Date: 15.11.2025
Last Updated: 20.06.2026
Research Ethics Policy of 2nd Brain Foundation
At 2nd Brain Foundation (Non-Profit Section-8 Company NGO), research is not merely a tool for generating knowledge—it is a responsibility to the individuals, families, caregivers, professionals, and communities we serve.
Our work is guided by a simple belief: scientific progress must never come at the expense of human dignity, privacy, safety, or trust.
As a science-led nonprofit organization focused on gut health, nutrition, neurodevelopment, mental wellbeing, health equity, and community empowerment, we are committed to conducting, supporting, and disseminating research in a manner that is ethical, transparent, respectful, and socially responsible.
This Research Ethics Policy establishes the principles, standards, and safeguards that guide all research-related activities conducted, commissioned, funded, supported, or published by 2nd Brain Foundation.
The Foundation undertakes and supports research to:
Research activities shall always align with the Foundation's charitable mission and public-interest objectives.
This policy applies to:
Whether conducted online, offline, or through partner organizations.
All research conducted under the Foundation's auspices shall adhere to the following principles:
Respect for Persons
Every participant shall be treated with dignity, respect, fairness, and autonomy.
Participation must be voluntary and based on informed decision-making.
Beneficence
Research should seek to maximize potential benefits while minimizing risks, burdens, discomfort, or harm.
Non-Maleficence
The Foundation shall avoid activities that may knowingly cause physical, psychological, social, financial, or reputational harm.
Justice
Research opportunities, benefits, and burdens should be distributed fairly and without discrimination.
Transparency
Research methods, objectives, funding sources, and findings should be communicated honestly and accurately.
Scientific Integrity
Research should be conducted according to accepted scientific and ethical standards.
Participation in research must be voluntary.
Before participation, individuals shall receive information regarding:
Consent must be obtained before collecting research information whenever required.
Participants may withdraw consent at any time unless limitations have been clearly communicated in advance.
Because the Foundation works extensively with neurodiverse children and families, special safeguards apply when research involves minors.
Research involving children shall:
Where appropriate, assent from the child may also be sought in addition to parental consent.
Participation by a child shall never be coerced, pressured, or improperly incentivized.
Additional protections shall apply when research involves:
Researchers must ensure that participants fully understand the nature of participation and are not subjected to undue influence.
The Foundation recognizes that research participants often share sensitive personal information.
Reasonable safeguards shall be implemented to protect:
Access shall be limited to authorized personnel with legitimate need.
Research data shall be handled in accordance with the Foundation's Privacy Policy and applicable laws.
Only information reasonably necessary to achieve legitimate research objectives shall be collected.
Researchers should avoid collecting excessive or unnecessary personal information.
The Foundation supports responsible data stewardship and proportional data collection practices.
Research information shall be protected through reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards.
Measures may include:
Research records shall be retained only for legitimate scientific, legal, regulatory, educational, or organizational purposes.
Whenever reasonably feasible, research data shall be:
before publication, reporting, presentation, or broader dissemination.
The Foundation will seek to minimize the risk of identifying individual participants.
Photographs, videos, testimonials, case studies, and participant stories may be used for:
Appropriate consent shall be obtained prior to such use.
Participants may request withdrawal of future use where legally permissible and operationally feasible.
The dignity and privacy of participants shall always take precedence over publicity considerations.
Individuals conducting research on behalf of the Foundation shall:
Scientific integrity is fundamental to maintaining public trust.
Researchers, advisors, collaborators, and project leaders must disclose any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.
Examples include:
Appropriate measures shall be implemented to manage identified conflicts.
Research findings should be communicated accurately, responsibly, and in context.
The Foundation shall avoid:
Particular care shall be taken when communicating findings related to:
Research findings should not be presented as guaranteed outcomes.
The Foundation supports ethical publication practices.
Publications should:
Publication decisions should not be influenced by political, commercial, or personal interests.
Research collaborations with universities, hospitals, NGOs, healthcare institutions, industry partners, consultants, or independent researchers should align with this policy.
Collaborative partners may be required to:
The Foundation reserves the right to discontinue collaborations that fail to meet ethical expectations.
Where artificial intelligence, machine learning, predictive analytics, or automated data processing tools are used in research or program evaluation:
Technology should support ethical decision-making rather than replace it.
The Foundation may establish internal or external ethical review mechanisms appropriate to the nature, scale, and sensitivity of research activities.
Higher-risk research projects may require additional review, approval, monitoring, or expert consultation before initiation.
Any participant, employee, volunteer, researcher, collaborator, or stakeholder may report concerns regarding:
Reports will be reviewed fairly, confidentially, and without retaliation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith.
The Foundation seeks to conduct research in accordance with applicable:
Where legal requirements differ across jurisdictions, the Foundation shall seek to uphold the higher standard whenever reasonably practicable.
At 2nd Brain Foundation, we believe that the ultimate purpose of research is not merely to generate knowledge, but to improve lives.
We are committed to conducting research that is:
As we work toward a future where evidence-based nutritional support is accessible to all, we remain committed to ensuring that every research participant is treated not as a data point, but as a valued human being whose trust deserves protection.
For questions, concerns, ethical complaints, or research-related inquiries, please contact:
2nd Brain Foundation
G-07, Lily Block, Ground Floor, VijyaSri Elixir, Borewell Road, Whitefield
Bangalore – 560066, Karnataka, India
Email: info@2ndbrain.in | Phone: +91-7760856999 |
NITI Aayog NGO Darpan ID: KA/2026/0945421
Corporate Identification Number (CIN) is U88900KA2025NPL210915.
Research Ethics & Grievance Contact
Shri Arnab Guha
Email: abgu@2ndbrain.in
Phone: +91-7760856999
The Foundation will make reasonable efforts to review and respond to ethical concerns in a timely, respectful, and confidential manner.
Call Us For More Details
info@2ndbrain.in
Bangalore-66, Karnataka, INDIA