RCR FAQS

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Who has to complete RCR training?
- NSF
  
  All students (including undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars) supported by the National Science Foundation are required to complete an approved course in Responsible Conduct of Research (NSF Award and Administration Guide, Chapter IV – Grantee Standards).
  
  All other students, as well as, faculty and staff, are encouraged to complete the training, but are not required to do so. The training introduces principles on the ethical conduct of research and exposes trainees to potential ethical dilemmas while providing guidance on how the principles of RCR can be used to resolve these dilemmas.
- NIH
  Format: Substantial face-to-face discussions among the participating trainees/fellows/scholars/participants; a combination of didactic and small-group discussions (e.g. case studies); and participation of research training faculty members in instruction in responsible conduct of research are highly encouraged. While on-line courses can be a valuable supplement to instruction in responsible conduct of research, online instruction is not considered adequate as the sole means of instruction. A plan that employs only online coursework for instruction in responsible conduct of research will not be considered acceptable, except in special instances of short-term training programs (see below), or unusual and well-justified circumstances.
  
  Subject Matter: While there are no specific curricular requirements for instruction in responsible conduct of research, the following topics have been incorporated into most acceptable plans for such instruction:
  1. conflict of interest – personal, professional, and financial
  2. policies regarding human subjects, live vertebrate animal subjects in research, and safe laboratory practices
  3. mentor/mentee responsibilities and relationships
  4. collaborative research including collaborations with industry
  5. peer review
  6. data acquisition and laboratory tools; management, sharing and ownership
  7. research misconduct and policies for handling misconduct
  8. responsible authorship and publication
  9. the scientist as a responsible member of society, contemporary ethical issues in biomedical research, and the environmental and societal impacts of scientific research
  While courses related to professional ethics, ethical issues in clinical research, or research involving vertebrate animals may form a part of instruction in responsible conduct of research, they generally are not sufficient to cover all of the above topics. Additional detail regarding subject matter is available under Resources.
Where do I complete the training?

For those individuals in need of NSF-compliant training, Research Integrity and Compliance provides online RCR training modules through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) at no cost to students, faculty, and staff.

To access the training go to https://www.citiprogram.org

For individuals in need of NIH- compliant training, CITI training is recommended, however, it will not fulfill NIH requirements. Please refer to the NIH ‘Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research’ or refer to the RCR Resources tab for curriculum suggestions for face-to-face training.
How do I register for the training?

To register for the CITI training, follow the steps in the PDF file.
What topics does the RCR training cover?
As defined by federal regulations, RCR training covers the following areas:
1. conflict of interest – personal, professional, and financial
2. policies regarding human subjects, live vertebrate animal subjects in research, and safe laboratory practices
3. mentor/mentee responsibilities and relationships
4. collaborative research including collaborations with industry
5. peer review
6. data acquisition and laboratory tools; management, sharing and ownership
7. research misconduct and policies for handling misconduct
8. responsible authorship and publication
9. the scientist as a responsible member of society, contemporary ethical issues in biomedical research, and the environmental and societal impacts of scientific research
The training varies among the different learner groups.
Whom do I notify that I have completed the training?

Please send your certificate of completion to your supervising faculty member.
Does the RCR training requirement flow down to any subawardee identified on the project?

Yes. The RCR training requirement does flow down to all subawardees at any tier. Texas State must therefore ensure that these RCR requirements are appropriately met.
Do PIs have to report in annual or final reports to NSF on the RCR training?

PIs are not required to report on RCR training in final or annual reports.
How often do I have to complete RCR training?

The online RCR training is required one time only.
Does taking the CITI RCR training count for Human Subjects Training, General Biosafety, Biosafety for BSL-2, or for Animal Care and Use Training?

No. The RCR training does not meet the requirements of training needed for the IRB, IBC, or IACUC. You will need to complete different specific courses through CITI to meet the requirements for Animal Welfare and Human Subject Research trainings. Specific Biosafety training can be completed through CITI or EHSRM.