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Division of Research
Texas State Division of Research Research Integrity and Compliance Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

Texas State University is committed to conducting research in an ethical and responsible way. We are dedicated to instilling in our community a shared understanding of, and adherence to, the principles of responsible conduct of research.

Research Integrity and Compliance is here to assist our researchers in furthering their awareness of responsible conduct of research (RCR) topics and to address requirements of the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS

Recipients of awards from the National Science Foundation (NSF), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are required to comply with specific requirements to ensure appropriate training in the responsible conduct of research.  

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF)

The 2007 America COMPETES Act directed the National Science Foundation (NSF) to require that all funded students and postdoctoral researchers undergo training in the responsible conduct of research. This requirement became effective with all NSF awards (including continuations) received on or after January 4, 2010. All undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers who will be supported by NSF to conduct research must complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) RCR training. 

NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH)

RCR training is required by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for all trainees, participants, and scholars receiving support through the following grants and awards:

  • NIH Institutional Research Training Grants;
  • Individual Fellowship Awards;
  • Career Development Awards (Institutional and Individual);
  • Research Education Grants;
  • Dissertation Research Grants; or
  • Other grant programs with a training component as noted in the Funding Opportunity Announcement.

NIH requires substantial face-to-face discussions; a combination of didactic and small-group discussions; and participation of research training faculty members in instruction for any trainee, participant, and scholar. (please see NOT-OD-10-019)  While the online CITI training is encouraged, it is not sufficient to meet NIH’s RCR training requirements. Please see ‘RCR Resources’ for helpful curriculum to utilize for face-to-face discussions.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA) NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (NIFA)

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) mandates that program directors, faculty, undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and any staff participating in the research project receive appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research. The requirement may be met by completing the CITI RCR training.  

Frequently asked Questions

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