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.
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)
Faculty and senior personnel on any NSF award requirement:
- one-time completion of the online Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research course
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:
- PERCSS Workshop (in-person training)
- Departmental trainings
- WashU Courses identified as covering RCR training requirements
- Bioethics Research Center Course
- WashU Libraries Live Trainings
- Becker Library
- Research ethics presentations at conferences
- Other Training Options
- OVCR Calendar for WashU RCR Trainings
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:
- RCR Boilerplate Language
- Guide to Developing an RCR Plan for a NIH Award
- Sample RCR Development Plans
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.