The NIH Grants Policy Statement explains the Responsible Conduct of Research requirements for NIH award applicants and recipients. The NIH policy update provides additional specific information on how to meet the obligations under the NIH Grants Policy Statement, including
format, frequency, and subject matter. Anyone applying to or receiving an NIH award should familiarize themselves with the policy update.

The NIH RCR policy update reflects principles based on 20 years’ experience of providing instruction in responsible conduct of research by the scientific research community. The policy
covers:

1. Issues that have arisen as the practice of biomedical, behavioral and clinical science has
   evolved;
2. Specifics about who should participate in RCR training; how often instruction should occur; the form that instruction should take; and the instructional components of training;
3. Special considerations by award type;
4. Guidance to applicants, peer reviewers and NIH staff in determining how well specific
   plans for instruction in responsible conduct of research compare with the best practices accumulated over the past two decades by the research training community; and
5. Compliance and reporting requirements.

The CITI RCR Training course may be used to satisfy some of NIH’s training requirements. Still, NIH also expects substantial face-to-face discussion-based instruction (video conferencing options permitted if discussion, active learning, interaction, etc., are included). The RIO office holds monthly RCR training to satisfy the face-to-face requirement. The calendar can be found here: https://www.uh.edu/research/compliance/rcr/.

The NSF requires RECR training for all undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and other senior/key personnel supported by NSF awards. This requirement implements the provisions of Section 7009 of the America COMPETES Act and amendments.

Training must include mentoring training and mentorship.

The NSF requires that the University of Houston have an institutional plan for RECR training. Additionally, NSF requires institutional certification of RCR training for each grant proposal.

For more information on the NSF RCR requirement, see their implementation
guidance and frequently asked questions.

The CITI RCR Training course satisfies NSF requirements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) requires institutions that conduct USDA-funded extramural research to foster an atmosphere
conducive to research integrity.

USDA considers “education in RCR essential to the preparation of future scientists”.

Institutions awarded with NIFA funding must comply with regulatory requirements, including prevention and detection of research misconduct, and training of staff.

The content of the training, at minimum, is expected to emphasize: authorship and plagiarism, data and research integration, and reporting misconduct.

The CITI RCR training course may be used to satisfy RCR training for USDA NIFA awards.