Responsible Conduct of Research Training
This page describes training components required to meet standards set by NIH and NSF for certain training grants. ISU's Responsible Conduct of Research program encourages the broad use of this training in all disciplines and regardless of funding status.
Training in RCR requires a multi-faceted approach, including in person and online training. Training should incorporate, at a minimum, the following topics:
- conflict of interest (personal, financial, and professional) and conflict of commitment in allocating time, effort, and other research resources
- human subjects, vertebrate animals, and safe laboratory practices policies;
- mentor/trainee relationships and responsibilities;
- safe research environments (e.g., those that promote inclusion and are free of sexual, racial, ethnic, disability, and other forms of discriminatory harassment);
- collaborative research;
- peer review, including the responsibility of maintaining confidentiality and security in peer review;
- data acquisition/analysis; laboratory tools (management, sharing, ownership);
- secure/ethical data use; data confidentiality, management, sharing, ownership
- research misconduct (including handling misconduct);
- responsible authorship and publication;
- the scientist’s responsibilities toward society and the environment as well as contemporary ethical issues in biomedical research.
Online Training
Online training is completed the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program.
PIs/Mentors are required to complete the CITI Responsible Conduct of Research Facilitator Guide Course within 90 days of the award.
All PI’s, mentors and trainees are required to complete the CITI Responsible Conduct of Research Basic Course within 30 days of beginning their participation on the grant. Any of the following will satisfy the requirement:
- Biomedical Responsible Conduct of Research Course
- Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research Course
- Physical Science Responsible Conduct of Research Course
- Humanities Responsible Conduct of Research Course
If you have any questions as to whether you have enrolled in the appropriate course, please contact Research Ethics & Compliance prior to beginning the course.
Learn about verification of CITI training after completing it.
In-Person Training
For detailed information on in person training for federally funded projects, including resources and how to document training, please refer to the Responsible Conduct of Research Plan.