Office for Research Protections | Education and Outreach
July 24, 2023
Beginning July 31, 2023, all researchers funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) will be required to take responsible conduct of research (RCR) training. Previously, this requirement was only for students and postdocs; NSF has extended the RCR training requirement to faculty and other senior personnel.
NSF requires that the training must include mentorship, and Penn State is meeting this requirement through the RCR course in CITI. Completion will be monitored by the Office for Research Protections (ORP). The ORP is working with Faculty Affairs on a potential in-person alternative to this requirement.
For current awards, please continue to ensure that all students (undergraduate and graduate) and postdocs have completed their RCR training requirements. This requirement is met by taking the full RCR course in CITI: citi.psu.edu
For future awards, the RCR training requirement will be noted on the Internal Approval Form (IAF) and researchers will be automatically notified via email of their responsibilities. (Note: even if a researcher has already met this requirement, emails will be automatically sent to all personnel on a grant.) The ORP will monitor completion of training, as it is a condition of award from NSF.
Penn State remains committed to the integrity of our research, and we appreciate your part in helping us meet NSF’s funding requirements.
If you have any questions or need assistance with CITI training, please contact the Office for Research Protections: orp@psu.edu.
Read the updated policy from NSF.