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Last Updated: September 24, 2025

The Cardiovascular Sciences Research Consortium (“CSRC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. CSRC is committed to protecting your privacy and handling personal data in compliance with U.S. law, the EU/UK GDPR, and other global standards.

Data We Collect

  • Personal Information: Name, email address, organizational affiliation, job title, event registration information.
  • Technical Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, and device information.
  • Usage Data: Pages visited, event participation history, communications preferences.
  • Cookies/Analytics: We use cookies and analytics services to improve Site functionality. You may adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. Some features of the Site may not function properly without cookies.

How We Use Your Data

  • To operate and maintain the CSRC website.
  • To register and manage event participation.
  • To distribute newsletters, research updates, and outreach communications (with your consent).
  • To analyze trends, usage, and improve services.

Legal Basis for Processing

For individuals in the EU/UK:

  • Consent (e.g., subscribing to newsletters).
  • Contractual necessity (e.g., event registration).
  • Legitimate interest (e.g., advancing nonprofit mission, scientific collaboration).
  • Legal obligation (e.g., reporting or recordkeeping).

Data Sharing

  • Service Providers: We share information with vendors that help us operate the Site or events (e.g., event platforms, email processors, social media tools, and project management software).
  • Legal Requirements: We may disclose data when required by law.
  • No Sale of Data: CSRC does not sell personal information.

International Transfers

If you are outside the United States, your data may be transferred to and processed in the U.S. We safeguard these transfers through:

  • EU Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs),
  • Adequacy decisions, or
  • Other recognized safeguards.

Know Your Rights

  • GDPR/UK GDPR: Access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, objection, withdraw consent.
  • PIPEDA (Canada): Access, correction, and right to challenge compliance.
  • California Residents: When California law applies, California residents may exercise rights to know, delete, and correct personal information, and to opt out of its sale or sharing (CSRC does not sell personal data).

Data Security & Retention

We use appropriate technical and organizational safeguards to protect your data. We retain data only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Policy, unless a longer retention period is required by law (e.g., financial or audit obligations).

AI Ethical Use & Principles

CSRC follows the principles set out in the Neutral Convening Policy (adapted frameworks shared by peers in biomedical and regulatory research).

  • Fairness & Non-Discrimination: AI applications must avoid bias and promote equity.
  • Transparency & Explainability: Use of AI must be communicated clearly to stakeholders.
  • Accountability & Oversight: AI outputs are subject to human review and ethical governance.
  • Privacy & Data Protection: AI systems must comply with global data protection standards.
  • Responsible Innovation: AI is used only to advance scientific knowledge, patient safety, and public health.

CSRC
General Inquiries: info@thecsrc.org
Website: https://thecsrc.org

Neutral Convening Policy Updated: September 24, 2025

The Cardiovascular Sciences Research Consortium (“CSRC,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Founded as a public–private partnership (PPP) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CSRC advances cardiovascular safety science by serving as a neutral convener of diverse stakeholders.

This Neutral Convening Policy sets forth how CSRC maintains impartiality, enforces confidentiality, protects ethical participation, and complies with U.S., European, and global regulatory standards.

Role as Neutral Convener & FDA Interaction

  • Neutral Environment: CSRC brings together regulators, industry, academia, and other stakeholders in an impartial forum. No distinct group dictates CSRC’s agenda or outcomes.
  • FDA Collaboration: As a recognized FDA PPP partner, CSRC co-hosts scientific think tanks, data-sharing initiatives, and pilot projects. These collaborations advance regulatory science and public health.
  • No FDA Endorsement: Outcomes from CSRC activities reflect multi-stakeholder input and do not imply FDA endorsement unless otherwise stated.
  • Mission Integrity: All convenings are guided by scientific rigor, transparency, and the mission of improving patient safety – not sole commercial or institutional gain.

Governance & Transparency

  • Neutrality Maintenance: Agendas, membership structures, and working groups are designed to prevent undue influence from any one party.
  • Transparency: CSRC discloses governance roles, funding sources, and sponsorships consistent with IRS 501(c)(3) and Pennsylvania nonprofit law.
  • Accountability: CSRC’s Academic Advisory Board, Executive Leadership Team, and other stakeholder committees oversee convenings and policies, ensuring accountability to members, partners, and regulators.

Closed-Door Policy for Forums

To encourage candid scientific dialogue and protect proprietary information, CSRC enforces the following closed-door standards for its forum series and similar convenings:

  • Prohibited Sharing: Attendees may not record (audio or video), photograph, or distribute materials. This includes:
    • PowerPoint slides or presentation decks
    • Meeting images or screenshots
    • Proprietary or confidential development information
    • Classified or restricted content
  • CSRC’s Use of Information: CSRC may use aggregated insights, anonymized outputs, and non-proprietary learnings to:
    • Advance cardiovascular safety science
    • Inform regulatory science publications
    • Develop educational and outreach materials
  • Participant Use of Information: Attendees may apply insights to:
    • Advance scientific research and innovation
    • Support regulatory strategies and product development
      But may not use such information to:
    • Penalize or exclude other participants
    • Gain an unfair competitive advantage based on membership or affiliation
  • Enforcement: By registering, participants agree to this Closed-Door Policy. Violations may result in removal from forums or termination of membership privileges, without refund, and may trigger additional remedies under nonprofit and contract law.

Whistleblower & Ethical Reporting

  • Safeguarding Integrity: All participants must adhere to the highest ethical standards.
  • Anonymous Reporting: Concerns (e.g., undue influence, misconduct, closed-door violations) may be reported confidentially.
  • Non-Retaliation: CSRC prohibits retaliation against individuals who, in good faith, raise a concern. Confidentiality will be preserved to the fullest extent permitted by law.
  • Pennsylvania Law: Where applicable (e.g., when CSRC activities involve public funds), protections under Pennsylvania’s Whistleblower Law also apply.

Data Protection & Privacy

CSRC complies with U.S., EU/UK GDPR, Canadian PIPEDA, and California CCPA/CPRA frameworks.

  • Data Collected: Registration details, contact information, organizational affiliation, technical data (IP, browser, cookies).
  • International Transfers: Data may be processed in the U.S. under Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs) or equivalent safeguards.
  • Your Rights:
    • GDPR/UK GDPR: Access, correction, erasure, restriction, portability, objection, withdraw consent.
    • PIPEDA (Canada): Access, correction, and compliance challenge rights.
    • California Residents: CSRC is generally not a “business” under CCPA/CPRA. However, we voluntarily extend comparable rights to California residents, and when acting as a service provider or contractor to a covered business, we comply with all CCPA/CPRA duties.
  • AI Principles: Where AI tools support communications or analytics, CSRC ensures fairness, transparency, privacy protection, accountability, and human oversight.

Review & Updates

This Neutral Convening Policy will be periodically reviewed and updated to reflect evolving best practices in governance, ethics, regulatory collaboration, and global privacy compliance. Revisions will be posted with an updated “Last Updated” date.

Contact Us

For questions, ethical concerns, or privacy requests.

Updates

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Revisions will be posted here with a new “Last Updated” date.

Contact Us

CSRC

For privacy concerns or to exercise your rights:
General Inquiries: info@thecsrc.org
Website: https://thecsrc.org

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