45.21 – Responsible Conduct of Research Training

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Last updated: August 1, 2025

A. Purpose. This policy establishes requirements for the training of individuals at the University of Idaho to conduct research with honesty and based on established professional norms and ethical principles.

B. Scope.

B-1. This policy applies to certain individuals conducting research on projects funded by the following entities:

a. The National Institutes of Health (“NIH”),

b. The National Science Foundation (“NSF”),

c. The US Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food Agriculture (“NIFA”), and

d. Other entities that require training on how to conduct research with integrity.

B-2. All individuals engaged in research at the University of Idaho, regardless of the source of funding, are encouraged to complete the training described in this policy.

C. Definitions

C-1. Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is the practice of scientific investigation with integrity. It involves the awareness and application of established professional norms and ethical principles in the performance of all activities related to scientific research. (National Institutes of Health, Notice Number NOT-OD-10-019)

D. Policy

D-1. General Requirements. RCR training is required for certain individuals conducting research on projects funded by NSF, NIH, and NIFA as outlined below. All individuals engaged in research at the University of Idaho are encouraged to complete RCR training.

D-2. NIH-funded project requirements. RCR training is required for trainees, fellows, participants, and scholars receiving NIH support through:

a. A training award, career development award (individual or institutional), research education grant, or dissertation research grant.

b. Projects that require RCR training as stated in the funding opportunity announcement or grant terms.

c. 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.

D-3. NSF-funded project requirements. RCR training is required for the following individuals on all NSF funded grants: undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral scholars. Beginning July 31, 2023, faculty and senior personnel on proposals submitted or due on or after that date are also required to take RCR training.

D-4. NIFA-funded project requirements. RCR training is required for the following individuals on all USDA NIFA-funded grants: program directors, faculty, undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and any staff participating in the research project. The following programs are currently exempt from the NIFA RCR training requirement: Formula Funded programs, the 1890 Facilities Program, and the Small Business Innovation Research Program.

E. Procedure

E-1. General training procedures. RCR training is offered online through the University’s membership to the online Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program (http://www.citiprogram.org). The CITI Program training fulfills the RCR requirements for NSF- and NIFA-funded projects. See section E-2 below for NIH online training restrictions.

a. Online training instructions. Instructions on how to access CITI through the University may be found via ored-ora@uidaho.edu. ORA maintains individual training records in CITI.

b. In-person seminars. In-person training may be offered by request to ORA.

E-2. NIH requirements. NIH projects that require RCR training (see section D-2) must include an RCR training plan with the grant proposal. Online instruction alone is not sufficient for an NIH RCR training plan. An acceptable training plan generally involves at least eight contact hours between trainees/fellows/scholars/participants and the participating faculty. The RCR training plan will be evaluated by NIH as part of the peer review process. The PI is responsible for implementing the training plan and maintaining all documentation pertinent to the training plan.

E-3. Additional training resources. Depending on the nature of the research being conducted, additional training in RCR related topics may be required. Such additional training may include animal care and use, general biosafety, biosafety cabinet, select agent, hazardous waste management, human participants in research, radiological safety, chemical hygiene plan, general lab safety, and so forth.

a. Ethics course. In addition to the seminars, an ethics class is offered on campus that covers ethical conduct of research principles which fulfills NIH’s in person training requirements. For information on current courses offered, please contact the College of Graduate Studies or the Office of Research Assurances.

E-4. PI responsibilities

a. Ensuring training. The PI on a project is responsible for ensuring that all required persons on the project complete RCR training. The PI is also responsible for determining the amount of additional RCR training appropriate for individuals.

b. Training documentation. The PI is responsible for keeping records of RCR training for their project. Training records shall be kept according to the grant or project record retention requirements. Training records are subject to review upon request by the funding agency.

E-5. Certification. The University shall certify on proposals submitted to NSF, or other agencies as required, that the University has an RCR training plan that aligns with the agency’s requirements. Training documentation and the RCR training plan are available for review upon request by the agency.

E-6. Authority of PI to require training. A PI may require RCR training for persons working on a research project even if the funding agency does not require it. It is the responsibility of the PI to maintain RCR training records of the individuals on their project. The PI may contact ORA to verify if the CITI training was completed.

E-7. NSF Requirements. A discussion of how PIs provide RCR training to their students and postdoctoral scholars is required for the Public Outcomes Report required by the NSF.

F. Contact Information

Office of Research Assurances (ORA)

Phone: 208-885-6162

Email: rcr@uidaho.edu

G. Related University Policies

Faculty-Staff Handbook:

Administrative Procedures Manual:

Version History

Amended 2025. Revised to make CITI program the primary method for providing RCR training at U of I.

Amended 2023. Updated to reflect federal policy changes by NSF to require training by more individuals. Made editorial revisions to get the policy in a standard format and improve usability and readability.

Amended

Amended 2018. Revised to comply with regulatory requirements.

Adopted 2010.