Researchers have important professional and regulatory responsibilities related to the responsible conduct of research (RCR), which is broadly defined as the practice of scholarship and scientific investigation with integrity.
RCR Education & Training Requirements for NIH and NSF
See the Responsible Conduct of Research policy for full RCR requirements.
Undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs on NIH training grants, career awards, or fellowships are required to receive:
- 8 hours of face-to-face RCR education per career stage
NIH Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research (NOT-OD-10-019)
Undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and other senior personnel supported by the proposed research project:
- Completion of the online Responsible Conduct of Research course
NSF Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) Guidelines
How to Access RCR Training
RCR face-to-face training can be obtained via a variety of training sources:
- RCR Workshop (in-person training)
- Departmental trainings
- WashU Courses identified as covering RCR training requirements
- Bioethics Research Center Course
- WashU Libraries Live Trainings
- Becker Library
- Research ethics presentations at conferences
- Other Training Options
- OVCR Calendar for WashU RCR Trainings
Mentorship Resources for Faculty
- Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research (CIMER) at WashU
- Office of the Provost: Mentorship Programs & Resources
Proposal Prep and RCR
Most funding agencies have a requirement for research ethics training. Resources are available to assist in including RCR training requirements in your proposals:
- RCR Boilerplate Language
- Guide to Developing an RCR Plan for a NIH Award
- Sample RCR Development Plans
Tracking RCR Training Completions
Due to the variety of ways to obtain RCR training, these records are kept at the departmental level.
Any RCR trainings recorded centrally via Learn@Work can be tracked by research administrators following the RCR Administrator’s Guide.
Departments conducting RCR trainings for their learners may submit a training record to be recorded in Learn@Work. The department/school must use the RCR Continuing Education Submission Form.