RCR

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training

Additional Student and Postdoc Training Requirements for NSF-Funded Projects

The National Science Foundation (NSF) requires appropriate training in the responsible conduct of research (RCR) to undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers participating in a research project supported by NSF. Faculty investigators are not required to take this training, but may wish to do so.

Once a NSF proposal is funded, if students or postdoctoral trainees are supported by NSF to participate in research, the PI will be notified to require the student or postdoc to complete the Basic Responsible Conduct of Research training through the CITI Program.

Throughout the duration of the NSF-funded grant, the PI must notify the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs when new students are hired to ensure all new students complete the mandatory training.

Deadline

Each student or postdoctoral fellow engaged in research supported by NSF shall complete the RCR course within three months of joining the project.  The course takes about three hours to complete.

How to register for CITI

You can register by clicking this link. Specific instructions with screenshots are available here.

• Please note that the research office requires a minimum score of 80% on the final score and the scores of all the individual modules.
• All modules do not have to be completed during a single online session. To re-enter the course, remember to SAVE your username and password.
• After completing your course, save a copy of the Completion Report and route it to your faculty member/project PI.  The PI will submit the reports to OSRP as required for each project.

If you have questions about whether RCR training is required for your NSF-funded project, please contact the Office of Sponsored Research and Programs at srp@csudh.edu.