Dear colleagues,
I write to provide an update on the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) resources and trainings we are continuing to build out for all of our researchers and trainees. The University is providing these not only in response to federal requirements but also as a reflection of our institutional values, and our commitment to the highest standards of research integrity, rigor, accountability, and compliance.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) have issued specific requirements for training in RCR within the last two years affecting all NSF awards and select categories of NIH awards. In order to meet these requirements, the University offers programs through CITI for RCR training and we encourage you to review all RCR resources and trainings, including federal requirements, on the OVPR website. The RCR trainings include topics such as research misconduct, data management, authorship, mentorship, peer review, conflicts of interest and commitment, and collaborative research.
There are several specific details I wish to call to your attention:
- NSF requires institutional certification that a program is in place for RCR training, and that NSF funded faculty and senior personnel receive training in mentoring / mentorship. The University’s training through CITI (‘RECR for UR NSF Funded Investigators’) fulfills this program requirement. All currently funded NSF PI’s and co-PI’s are required to take this training as soon as possible, and no later than September 1, 2024.
- Instructions for accessing the training on CITI may be found on the VPR website.
- NIH, on the other hand, requires a RCR Plan for certain proposal types; this plan must meet NIH-defined requirements in terms of format, subject matter, faculty participation, duration and frequency of instruction. The University’s RCR training through CITI also meets these requirements.
- The Office of the Vice President for Research in conjunction with the Offices of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs will be tracking the completion of RCR training on an annual basis to ensure members of our research community are committed to the values of the University, while meeting federal obligations. However, the PI is ultimately responsible for monitoring and ensuring that trainees working on their NIH and NSF grants complete the RCR requirement.
In addition to the CITI training, URMC offers courses for graduate students and postdoctoral appointees in Research Ethics and Ethics and Professional Integrity in Research. The Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experience in Research (CIMER), the NIH Office of Intramural Research Mentoring and Training, and Pathways to Science Mentoring Manual also offer additional resources related to training in faculty mentoring.
Lastly, should you have any concerns related to research integrity – improper or unethical behavior in the research setting – you may report concerns confidentially and anonymously through the Integrity Helpline.
Best,
Steve
Stephen Dewhurst, PhD
Vice President for Research
University of Rochester