1. Individual researchers or scholars are free to select a research topic consistent with the NINLAN’s vision and mission, seek support from any source for their work, and draw their conclusions based on their research findings. However, information on such sources must be made openly available to the NINLAN’s academic community.
2. Research techniques should comply with the ethical principles in the research process.
3. Researchers must ensure that the sources of funding for research and all applications to be submitted are in harmony with ethical principles. Researchers must adhere strictly to the financial regulations of the Institute.

All proposals submitted to the Institute Research Grant Committee (IRGC) shall be subjected to expert assessment at the Departmental, School and Institute levels through procedures determined by the IRGC from to time. In addition, applications or proposals to the IRGC will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Multidisciplinary research in Nigerian Languages will be given priority.
• The soundness of the research plan or proposal.
• The feasibility of the research plan within the time frame, the financial estimates as well as the available material and human resources.
• Whether the aims of the research project lend themselves to realistic interventions and improvement in learning conditions.
• The potential for the training and involvement of junior researchers.
• The ethnical standard and compliance with ethical provisions.
• Expected outcomes and/ or anticipated benefits.
• Dissemination plan.
• Monitoring and evaluation plan.

1. Senior academics are encouraged to involve Junior academics in research project as a form of mentorship
2. There shall be a Principal Investigator (PI) for every research project
3. All PIs must seek and understand the Institute’s policies relating to the conduct of research 
4. The PI shall be responsible for coordinating the research to ensure it follows the research procedures or the steps in the conduct of research.
5. The PI must ensure that required reports are submitted to the IRGC and other appropriate bodies according to the stated timelines.

The principle of freedom of access by all interested persons shall apply in respect of all research findings

The following guidelines shall be applicable to all scholarly communications in which multiple authorships are involved:

1. The principal investigator and the senior member of staff involved must ensure the overall accuracy and validity of the publication.
2. All authors must share responsibility for the published work and have the opportunity to receive all sample preparation procedures, data collection and analysis.
3. Each author should participate in the manuscript preparation process prior to submission for publication and should agree to their inclusion as co- authors. 
4. Note that all research project must be prepared for publication.

1. It is the responsibility of the researchers to determine authorship rights.
2. The IRGC shall be the final arbiter in case of problems concerning matters of academic authorship and acknowledgment.
3. Copies of researches emanating from research approved and for sponsored by the IRGC must be submitted to the Committee.
4. The IRGC shall publish an annual document of all research publications emanating from the Institute

The IRGC shall encourage Departmental/ School Research Seminars. The reason is that Research seminars often provide the environment for the conceptualization of research ideas, updating knowledge, and identifying areas requiring further research.

1. Both the Institute and the Principal Investigators have rights pertaining to access to, the use of and maintenance of original research data.
2. To ensure the needed and appropriate access to research publications, the Institute shall take custody of all research data through the Institute Research Grant Committee (IRGC).
3. The PI is responsible for the collection, management and retention of research data.

The National Institute for Nigerian Language shall dedicate at least 5% of its annual recurrent grant to funding research. To support its research activities, the Institute shall vigorously solicit research funds from public and private organizations, philanthropists, international agencies as well as provide consultancy or translation services or engage in commissioned researches.

Based on these research policies and given that the foremost mandate of NINLAN is to carry out research geared towards development of Nigerian languages and to produce Nigerian language teachers, research groups that comprise academic staff were formed. The groups, their leaders, their focus and meeting dates in a year are as follows.