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RCR Training Requirements

The NIH defines Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) as the practice of scientific investigation with integrity. Training in RCR helps prepare investigators to conduct their research activities ethically by teaching on topics such as authorship, collaborations, conflicts of interest, human and animal subjects, mentoring, and research misconduct. While RCR training is available to all UCSC researchers, some funding agencies require the training as outlined below.

At UCSC, personnel complete Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research training through online CITI training modules. The required training encompasses the following topics:

  • Collaboration
  • Conflicts of interest and commitment
  • Data ownership and sharing
  • Human and animal subjects protections
  • Mentorship
  • Peer review
  • Publication and authorship
  • Misconduct
Unless regulations require additional training, the completion of CITI training is valid for three years.

National Science Foundation (NSF) 

Both the PI and the campus will ensure that all key personnel, students and postdoctoral scholars supported by NSF funding have completed RCR training within 60 days. PIs and key personnel named on an NSF award are encouraged to complete updated training as soon as possible, and are required to complete training prior to release of any new NSF award. Personnel, students, and postdocs who are added to the project during the life of the award must complete updated training within 60 days. The Office of Research Compliance Administration (ORCA) will review completions on a monthly basis to ensure compliance, and will notify individuals and divisional staff when training requirement has not been met.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) 

“NIH requires that all trainees, fellows, participants, and scholars receiving support through any NIH training, career development award (individual or institutional), research education grant, and dissertation research grant must receive instruction in responsible conduct of research. This Notice applies to the following programs: D43, D71, F05, F30, F31, F32, F33, F34, F37, F38, K01, K02, K05, K07, K08, K12, K18, K22, K23, K24, K25, K26, K30, K99/R00, KL1, KL2, R25, R36, T15, T32, T34, T35, T36, T37, T90/R90, TL1, TU2, and U2R. This policy also applies to any other NIH-funded programs supporting research training, career development, or research education that require instruction in responsible conduct of research as stated in the relevant funding opportunity announcements.”

The NIH Guide Notice Update on the Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research provides additional information.

The PI of these grants must describe their (in-person) training plan as part of their proposal; note that online training through CITI is not enough. Programs should include topics such as research misconduct, data management, responsible authorship and publication, peer review, conflicts of interest in research, mentor/mentee responsibilities and relationships, collaborative science, civility issues in research environments, policies regarding laboratory safety, social and environmental impacts of research, and contemporary ethical issues. Please see the NIH Responsible Conduct of Research page for more information. PIs must also maintain records on when trainings occurred along with attendee lists. For suggestions on how to develop your training program, contact ORCA.

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) 

Program directors, faculty, undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, fellows, and any staff participating in a USDA NIFA research project must receive appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research. Researchers may use the CITI online course. For step by step instructions please go to RCR CITI Training.
ORCA will remind grant PIs of this requirement via email. PIs must also maintain records of completed training for project personnel.

USDA Required Documentation

PIs must document and certify on a per award basis, that all personnel on the award engaged in the research have completed RCR training within 60 days of the individuals becoming supported by NIFA funding. PIs must fill out and sign the USDA NIFA RCR Training Certification Form and submit the original form to ORCA at orca@ucsc.edu, initially within 90 days of the award being made; and must update any additions of students and postdocs during the life of the award and certify the training has occurred as required. Please keep a copy for your records; ORCA will also maintain a copy.


For more information on the RCR requirements for NSF, USDA NIFA, or NIH, contact ORCA.