1. Service Units
  2. Research Integrity & Compliance
  3. Responsible Conduct of Research
  4. Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Requirements
  5. NSF RCR Requirement
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    NSF RCR Requirement

    PLEASE NOTE:  In 2023, the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced that RCR training is now required for faculty and other senior personnel. In addition, the training must also address mentor training and mentorship. These new requirements apply to NSF proposals submitted on or after July 31, 2023.

     

    I took the CITI RCR Basic Course prior to July 31, 2023. How do I comply with the new requirement? On July 1, 2023, the CITI Online Training Program added two new training modules in order to fulfill the new NSF requirement to include mentor training and mentorship. Those currently funded by NSF who completed the CITI RCR Course prior to July 1, 2023 should ensure that they have completed the new additional RCR training modules in order to be in compliance for future funding. The two modules may be taken as part of the CITI RCR Refresher Course. The two modules are also accessible separately in CITI by scrolling down to the Basic RCR Course at the bottom of the page under “Completed Courses” and clicking “Review Course.” The previously completed RCR modules will be listed, along with the two new ones that will be available to complete: “Data Management” and “Mentoring and Healthy Research Environments.” 

    Who needs RCR training per NSF policy?  All faculty, principal investigators, co-principal investigators, senior personnel, post-doctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students supported by an NSF grant awarded to UConn/UConn Health directly, or as a sub-recipient, are required to complete Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training.

    How can the requirement be met?  The RCR Basic Course offered online through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) covers all essential RCR topics and will satisfy the NSF requirement for RCR training. For instructions on how to access CITI’s RCR training course and which option to complete, please visit our RCR CITI webpage.

    When must training be completed?  NSF RCR Training should be completed within the first 3 months of the NSF-funded project.

    Are there alternative options to CITI training?  Yes, annual RCR training workshops (offered each February; 8 total hours are required) and department-sponsored RCR courses will also satisfy NSF’s RCR training requirement.

    For questions, please contact Research Compliance Monitor, Ellen Ciesielski, in the RCR Office.