Skip to main content

Frontline Research Partners — Terms of Service

Effective date: May 1, 2026

What This Is

These terms supplement the RUGCC Website Terms of Service and govern your participation in the Frontline Research Partners program specifically.

The Frontline Research Partners program is a voluntary, unpaid clinical referral program operated by Rutgers University Genetics Coordinating Center (RUGCC) in collaboration with the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). It provides nephrology clinicians with materials and attribution tools to help patients learn about and participate in the Rutgers University Study of the Genetics of Kidney Disease.

 

What This Is Not

This program is not a certification, accreditation, credential, or endorsement. Enrollment does not constitute a professional relationship with Rutgers University or NKF beyond participation in this program. “Research Partner,” “Verified Research Partner,” and “Founding Partner” are program designations, not professional titles or credentials.

 

Eligibility

The program is open to U.S.-based clinicians (physicians, registered dietitians, clinical social workers) and clinical or non-clinical staff working in nephrology or related kidney care. Eligibility is verified through publicly available professional registries (NPPES) and may be supplemented by manual review.

 

Your Obligations

By enrolling, you agree to:

  • Distribute only IRB-approved materials provided by the program
  • Not create, modify, or translate program materials without program approval
  • Not represent yourself as “certified,” “accredited,” “credentialed,” or “endorsed” by Rutgers or NKF
  • Not represent yourself as a Rutgers researcher or NKF employee (unless separately true)
  • Not make clinical recommendations to patients regarding study participation — you share information; patients decide
  • Not receive payment, referral fees, or financial incentives from any party for directing patients to the study

 

What You May Say
  • “I’m a Frontline Research Partner for the kidney genetics study.”
  • “There’s a national kidney genetics study you can do from home.”
  • “If you’re interested, here’s a flyer — the study website has all the details.”

 

What You May Not Say
  • “I recommend you enroll.” (clinical recommendation framing)
  • “You’ll get your genetic results.” (this is a research study, not a clinical test)
  • “I work for / with Rutgers research.” (unless separately true)
  • Any claim that enrollment will benefit the patient clinically

 

Intellectual Property

All program materials (handouts, posters, cards, badges, templates) are the property of RUGCC. You receive a non-exclusive, non-transferable license to use them for the purpose of directing patients to the study. This license terminates when you stop participating.

You may display the Frontline Research Partners digital badge on your email signature, LinkedIn profile, and practice website. You may not use Rutgers or NKF logos outside of provided materials.

 

Termination

You may stop participating at any time. RUGCC may terminate your participation if you:

  • Make claims about the study that constitute overclaim or misrepresentation
  • Use Rutgers or NKF branding outside provided materials
  • Distribute altered or unapproved materials
  • Receive payment from any party for referring patients to the study
  • Engage in conduct that creates legal or reputational risk to the study

Termination retires your practice code, removes your directory listing and public profile, ends material shipments, and revokes the digital badge license. You are notified in writing with the specific reason.

 

No Warranty

The program is provided “as is.” RUGCC does not guarantee any specific level of patient enrollment, impact report frequency, or program continuity. RUGCC may modify, suspend, or discontinue the program with 30 days’ notice to enrolled partners.

 

Limitation of Liability

RUGCC’s liability under this program is limited to removing your information and retiring your code upon request. RUGCC is not liable for any damages arising from your participation, including but not limited to reputational impact, lost opportunities, or patient outcomes.

 

Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of New Jersey. Any disputes will be resolved in the courts of New Jersey.

 

Changes

We may update these terms. Material changes will be communicated via email at least 14 days before taking effect. Continued participation after the effective date constitutes acceptance.

 

Contact

Questions: partners@kdstudy.org Program operator: Rutgers University Genetics Coordinating Center