Requirements for training in Responsible (and Ethical) Conduct of Research (RCR/RECR) have been issued by federal funders/sponsors, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  These requirements generally affect all NSF and USDA awards and select categories of NIH awards. RCR training topics include: data acquisition and analysis; management; safe research environments; sharing and ownership; conflict of interest and commitment; human subject research protections; animal welfare; research misconduct; publication practices and responsible authorship; mentor/mentee responsibilities; peer review; collaborative science; and more!

Research Compliance Services works to assist faculty and departments with RCR training resource materials and to promote and support RCR education at UO.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

• The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grants Policy Statement explains the Responsible Conduct of Research requirements for NIH award applicants and recipients. The NIH policy update provides additional specific information on how to meet the obligations under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, including format, frequency and subject matter. Anyone applying to or receiving an NIH award should familiarize themselves with the policy update.
• The NIH RCR policy update reflects principles based on 20 years’ experience of providing instruction in responsible conduct of research by the scientific research community. The policy covers:
  1. Issues that have arisen as the practice of biomedical, behavioral and clinical science has evolved;
  2. Specifics about who should participate in RCR training; how often instruction should occur; the form that instruction should take; and the instructional components of training;
  3. Special considerations by award type;
  4. Guidance to applicants, peer reviewers and NIH staff in determining how well specific plans for instruction in responsible conduct of research compare with the best practices accumulated over the past two decades by the research training community; and
  5. Compliance and reporting requirements.
• The CITI RCR training course may be used to satisfy some of NIH’s training requirements, but NIH also expects substantial face-to-face discussion-based instruction (video conferencing options permitted if discussion, active learning, interaction, etc. is included).  On-line courses can supplement, but online instruction alone is not considered adequate by NIH.

National Science Foundation (NSF)

• The National Science Foundation (NSF) requires RECR training for all undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and other senior/key personnel supported by NSF awards. This requirement implements the provisions of Section 7009 of the America COMPETES Act and amendments.
• Training must include mentoring training and mentorship.
• The NSF requires that the University of Oregon have an institutional plan for RECR training. Additionally, NSF requires institutional certification of RCR training for each grant proposal.
• For more information on the NSF RCR requirement, see their implementation guidance and frequently asked questions.
• For UO's RCR requirements, see the UO RCR Training and Education Plan.
• The CITI RCR Training course satisfies NSF requirements; additionally a specific course designed for faculty (may also be applicable to other NSF funded personnel) funded by NSF is available through Academic Impressions.

NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (See Section B)

NSF Responsible & Ethical Conduct of Research Page

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

• The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requires institutions that conduct USDA-funded extramural research to foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity.
• USDA considers “education in RCR essential to the preparation of future scientists”.
• Institutions awarded with NIFA funding must comply with regulatory requirements, including prevention and detection of research misconduct, and training of staff.
• Content of training, at minimum, is expected to emphasize: authorship and plagiarism, data and research integration, and reporting misconduct.
• The CITI RCR training course may be used to satisfy RCR training for USDA NIFA awards.

USDA NIFA Page

If you have questions, please contact Research Compliance Services.  See our RCR On-Demand training for links and more information.