Training Requirements

To address the growing concerns around research security, both the federal and state governments have recently implemented new regulations and training requirements related to research security, disclosure of outside activities, and foreign research collaborations. These changes are important and may impact how we conduct, manage, and report on research projects, particularly those involving sensitive information or funding from federal or state agencies. 

The new security measures require enhanced processes for managing controlled information, cybersecurity, and reporting on foreign influence in research activities. These updates are designed to safeguard intellectual property, prevent unauthorized access, and ensure the integrity of externally funded research projects. 

Beginning on May 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will require all Covered Individuals to complete research security training in the 12 months immediately preceding the application date. Covered Individuals from recipients or subrecipients who are added to an existing DOE award that includes the research security training requirement must complete the training within 30 calendar days of joining. The National Science Foundation (NSF) training requirement is anticipated to take effect in Fall 2025. It is anticipated that research security training will be required for all federal awards prior to proposal submission. 

To support compliance with these updated regulations and safeguard the integrity of our research environment, all principal and co-investigators and key personnel listed on a new proposal or award for external funding are required to complete research security training.  

The training is designed to create awareness of, and protect the research enterprise against, external threats and risks to U.S. funded research and the values of responsible conduct of research, research ethics, and rigor & reproducibility, which underpin our research enterprise.  

All researchers will also be required to complete this training prior to the financial set-up of new awards. All other investigators will be asked to complete the training prior to the start of the 2025-26 academic calendar. 

Expand FAQ List

  • Principal investigators, co-principal investigators, and key personnel listed on a proposal or award. The training is required annually and may be required (depending on sponsor) to submit a proposal. 

  • Research Security Training is designed to create awareness of, and protect the research enterprise against, external threats and risks to U.S. funded research and the values of responsible conduct of research, research ethics, and rigor & reproducibility, which underpin our research enterprise. The aim of research security training is to raise awareness of risks among funded researchers and research institutions and to highlight resources to guard against the same. 

    Research Security training is listed as one of four elements of a Research Security Program required by NSPM-33. The CHIPS and Science Act, SB No. 1565, and GA-48 require the requirement for research security programs and training for research personnel. 

  • Research Security Training is provided to all faculty, staff and students through the University CITI Program account without charge. This training is required for all Principal Investigators, Co-Investigators, and Key Personnel listed on a proposal or award. 

    CITI Training Instructions

     

  • Although other federal agencies are expected to follow suit, DOE is the first agency to implement a research security training requirements for all covered individuals on a DOE project and must complete research security training before a proposal can be submitted as of May 1, 2025.  

    All other individuals who engage in or propose to engage in sponsored research, including non-federal and industry-sponsored research, must complete the CITI research security and undue foreign influence training by June 30, 2025. Those who have not completed the training by then will not be allowed to submit new proposals until the training is complete.