Responsible Conduct of Research(RCR)

As a university community of scholars, it is important that our research and scholarship is conducted and shared with integrity and in compliance with ethics in research. The Office of Research promotes research integrity, compliance and quality research within the University community. This is achieved partly through education and training programs provided on research involving human subjects and animals. Federal guidelines require Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training for all researchers participating in government-funded projects (NSF, NIH and USDA).

The Office of Research require all students involved in sponsored research to complete RCR training. This includes internally funded research (e.g., Faculty Research Grants and Undergraduate Research Scholarships) and externally funded research (e.g., governmental departments and private and corporate foundations). Additionally, Honors students are required to complete this training when conducting research relating to their thesis. Begin the RCR training registration process here.

 

Mandatory Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training

Undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers whose research is funded by the NSF, NIH, and USDA must complete the EthicsCORE RCR training linked above.

NSF: All undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers “supported by National Science foundation (NSF) to conduct research” receive training in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR).

NIH: 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.

USDA: Effective for awards subjects to the February 2013 Research Terms and Conditions, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) has mandated that program directors, faculty, undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researcher, and any staff participating in the research project receive appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research (RCR).  Any award issued after February 1, 2013 must comply with this requirement.