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Updated Responsible Conduct of Research Education Policy

Published March 26, 2025, via Research News

WashU’s Responsible of Research (RCR) Education policy has been updated to align with new regulatory requirements. In addition, the online RCR education has been combined into one newly redesigned course that includes research security training being mandated by federal funding agencies. 

Major updates

  • Beginning May 1, 2025, the Department of Energy requires research security training before proposal submission for covered individuals. The updated RCR course meets this requirement. See the DOE section below for additional information. 
  • We expect other federal agencies, such as NIH and NSF, to release updated RCR and research security education requirements. These changes position us to meet those requirements. 
  • NSF researchers are no longer required to complete one hour of face-to-face training per year. The online RCR course requirement remains in effect.
  • All Postdocs are required to take the online RCR course.

Online training updates

  • WashU developed the new RCR course to meet updated requirements and provide content relevant to WashU researchers, which includes research security training. This is in place of the government-provided four-hour research security training.
  • The entire course takes 60-90 minutes to complete. 
  • The legacy courses PERCSS Core Course and Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research for Faculty and Staff are being discontinued in favor of the new course: Responsible Conduct of Research. 
  • The new RCR course is effective beginning March 31, 2025, which includes individuals already assigned training who have not yet completed the legacy courses. 

DOE requirements

  • For applications with due dates on or after, May 1, 2025, covered individuals are required to have completed the new RCR course before proposal submission.
  • Covered individuals include PI, PD, Co-PI, Co-PD, project manager or any other individual as required by the funding opportunity or terms of the award.
  • OSRS will confirm training completion before the proposal can be submitted to the DOE. 
  • Subawardees must follow DOE’s requirements. The WashU training is not available to subs, but they may complete NSF’s Research Security training and generate a certificate of completion if they do not have their own course. 

Questions?
Contact orie@wustl.edu or rei@wusm.wustl.edu.