
Responsible Conduct of Research
California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) promotes the responsible conduct of research among CSUSM faculty, students, and staff. Federal legislation and agency policies (e.g., NIH, NSF, USDA) require that awardees of specific federally-funded research and training grants provide appropriate Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) policy requires RCR training for grants made
through training
activity codes (e.g., R25 and T34). The National Science Foundation (NSF) requires
awardees to provide
RCR training for undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers
supported by
NSF. USDA NIFA requires RCR training for program directors, faculty, undergraduate
and graduate
students, and staff. It is the responsibility of the University to ensure that awardees
are able to comply
with the federal RCR requirements. Thus, the following guidelines are intended to
assist CSUSM
investigators in compliance with RCR training requirements.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Office of Graduate Studies & Research (OGSR):
- Notify PIs of RCR training requirements and the Institutional Plan for Training on the RCR
- Develop and provide opportunities for RCR training
- Upon award, ensure PIs are reminded of RCR requirements
- Support identification of individuals in need of RCR training
Principal Investigator (PI):
- Understand and comply with RCR requirements
- Ensure that RCR requirements are met in a timely manner for relevant participants
(i.e., trainees,
undergraduate students, graduate students, post-docs, project senior personnel, staff). - Report documented completion of RCR training to the funding agency, as appropriate
- Maintain certificates of completion
CSUSM Corporation Office of Sponsored Projects (OSP):
- Assist OGSR in identifying those in need of RCR training
- Assist in verifying RCR completion in cases where participants are employees (students,
staff, faculty)
on sponsored projects
Training Requirement:
Online Training: |
For NSF and USDA awards, training should be completed in CITI. Investigators, students, and trainees who are required to fulfill RCR training shall complete the appropriate CITI online RCR training modules available via the CSUSM Office of Graduate Studies & Research (OGSR) website. In exceptional situations, the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research can approve alternative training materials and procedures to meet the RCR requirements. In these cases, approval of the plan is required in advance of implementation. |
Seminars: |
For NIH training awards, in-person training is required. Trainees supported by NIH grants will complete an OGSR-sponsored face-to-face RCR training seminar. The OGSR-sponsored seminar generally covers topics, such as:
|
Training Resources:
- Office of Research Integrity (ORI) ((might not be the correct link)
- NIH Notice (NOT-OD-10-019)
- NIH Research Training and Career Development
- NSF RCR site and FAQs
- USDA NIFA RCR site
- AAAS-ORI Select Bibliography and Resources on RCR
- American Psychological Society - Misconduct of Others: Prevention Techniques for Researchers
- National Academy of Sciences text, On Being a Scientist
Text for Proposals: For suggested RCR Plan narrative text for NIH, NSF, USDA proposals, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies and Research. |
Training Requirements by Sponsor:
NIH | NSF | USDA | |
Activity Codes/Mechanisms requiring RCR |
R25 & T34 awards | All NSF awards excluding 1) conference, symposium, workshop, and travel projects; and 2) projects in which students receive stipends to participate in a program (not to conduct research) such as Noyce and SSTEM projects |
NIFA awards |
Who needs to participate in training |
Trainees | Required: Undergraduate and graduate students; postdoctoral researchers Encouraged: Faculty |
Program directors, faculty, undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and any staff |
Format of RCR training | In-person training is required and supplemental online training through CITI module recommended |
CITI module | CITI module |
When RCR should be completed |
During the training period |
Upon hire | Upon hire |
Frequency of training | Once during career stage and no less than once every four years |
Not prescribed by NSF | Not prescribed by USDA |