Researchers have important professional and regulatory responsibilities related to the responsible conduct of research (RCR), which is broadly defined as the practice of scholarship and scientific investigation with integrity.


RCR Education & Training Requirements

Training requirements for RCR are set by by the NIH, NSF, and WashU policy.

NIH Logo

Undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs on NIH training grants, career awards, or fellowships are required to receive:

  • 8 hours of face-to-face RCR education per career stage

NIH Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research (NOT-OD-10-019)

NSF Logo

Faculty and senior personnel on any NSF award requirement:


Undergraduates, graduate students, and postdocs on any NSF award requirements:

  • 1 hour of face-to-face education per year
  • one-time completion of the online PERCSS curriculum

NSF Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) Guidelines


How to Access RCR Training

RCR face-to-face training can be obtained via a variety of training sources:

Mentorship Resources for Faculty


Proposal Prep and RCR

Most funding agencies have a requirement for research ethics training. Resources are available to assist in including RCR training requirements in your proposals:


Tracking RCR Training Completions

Due to the variety of ways to obtain RCR training, these records are kept at the departmental level.

Any RCR trainings recorded centrally via Learn@Work can be tracked by research administrators following the RCR Administrator’s Guide.

Departments conducting RCR trainings for their learners may submit a training record to be recorded in Learn@Work. The department/school must use the RCR Continuing Education Submission Form.


RCR Resources