Training
Responsible Conduct of Research
New Training Requirement in the Responsible Conduct of Research
A new training requirement in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) for NSF-funded undergraduates, graduate students and trainees takes effect January 4, 2009. As of that date, all undergraduates, graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who are supported by NSF to conduct research will be required to complete RCR training. The new regulations implement provisions of the America COMPETES Act.
The University is establishing multiple options for satisfying the new requirement, including both on-line and in-person training:
- Through Rascal, individuals can access an on-line course created and maintained by the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI), a nationally-recognized source for research-related training. Learners are required to complete up to nine RCR modules:
- Research Misconduct
- Conflicts of Interest
- Publication Practices and Responsible Authorship
- Data Acquisition, Management, Sharing and Ownership
- Mentor/Trainee Responsibilities
- Peer Review
- Collaborative Science
- Human Subjects Protection
- Working with Animal Subjects (biomedical researchers only)
- Individuals may also fulfill the requirement by taking one of the established Columbia RCR courses, or through departmental offerings.