The Office of Research Oversight (ORO) provides oversight of local VA medical facility research programs, which, in turn, provide oversight of the research studies conducted at VA medical facilities. To ensure objectivity and appropriate authority when carrying out its oversight responsibilities, ORO reports directly to the Under Secretary for Health and functions independently of the VA medical facilities that conduct VA research and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Office of Research & Development (ORD), which is the program office within VHA that sets VA research priorities; establishes VA research programs; provides funding to VA researchers; develops policy governing the review and conduct of VA research; and provides training and educational outreach to the VA research field.  To learn more about ORD and VA research, please visit ORD’s website.