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Responsible conduct of research is the practice of scientific investigation with integrity. It involves the awareness and application of established professional norms and ethical principles in the performance of all activities related to scientific research.
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All investigators and research trainees at UIC must follow federal, state, and university guidelines regarding training in the responsible conduct of research.
Who needs RECR/RCR training? Heading link
Who needs RECR/RCR training?
All trainees and scholars who receive support from Federal Grants must obtain training in RECR/RCR. In addition to NIH and NSF, other agencies may require RECR/RCR training. Training should be continuous or be repeated at least every three years, depending up on the method of training.
Beginning with proposals submitted on or after July 31, 2023 due to the CHIPS act (at §10337, p. 503), faculty and other senior personnel will need to participate in RCR training. More details are expected regarding NSF-specific RCR Training.
The type of training required may differ for various stages of training and among funding agencies.
What type of RCR training is offered at UIC?
UIC offers the following RCR training:
- GC501 – Scientific Integrity and Responsible Research, a 1 hour credit course offered by the Graduate College. This course is designed to meet the NIH requirements for formal training in the responsible conduct of research.
- The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI), an on-line course. Consists of a basic course modules complemented with a set of additional modules of interest. The modules that cover core norms, principles, regulations, and rules governing the practice of research. Instructions for accessing the CITI RCR course will be available here.
- RCR workshop Series for Postdocs and Faculty , offered by OVCR
- Other offerings are available in specific programs. If you know of other options, please let us know.
How do I comply with NIH RCR requirements?
- Who must take RCR: All trainees, fellows, participants, and scholars receiving support through any NIH training, career development award, research education grant, and/or dissertation research grant.
- What is required: An RCR Written Plan is required at time of application. Online instruction alone is not considered adequate. The curriculum is not defined, but NIH suggests several specific topics. Acceptable programs generally involve at least eight contact hours and must be level specific.
- Compliance: Grantees are expected to report on RCR activity in progress and final reports.
- Template: Templates with suggested language are available for predoctoral students and postdoctoral/faculty scholars.
- Complete information is available at NOT-OD-10-019 and NOT-OD-22-055
How do I comply with NSF RECR requirements?
- Who must take RCR: All undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers who are supported by NSF to conduct research. Beginning with applications submitted January 30, 2023 as required by the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG 23-1), faculty and other senior personnel will need to participate in RCR training. More details are expected regarding NSF-specific RCR Training although it appears that CITI training is sufficient as a minimum.
- When must RCR be completed: Within 60 days of starting the award or beginning work on the award, whether paid by award funds or not.
- RCR Written Plan and Content: Not required, but completion subject to review upon request. Content not specified. Submission of proposal certifies that an RCR plan is in place. PIs are required by UIC to confirm that all personnel undergo training.
- Frequency: At least once every three years from the completion of the training.
- Compliance: UIC PIs are responsible for verifying that RCR requirements are met.
- The complete NSF policy can be found at: http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/rcr.jsp
How do I comply with USDA RCR requirements?
- Who must take RCR: Program directors, faculty, undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and any staff participating in the research project must receive training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research. The individual does not need to paid from award funds to be required to undergo training.
- When must RCR be completed: Not specified, but prior to the award or working on the award is suggested.
- RCR Written Plan and Content: Not required, PIs are required by UIC to confirm that all personnel undergo training.
- Frequency: At least once every three years from the completion of the training.
- Compliance: UIC PIs are responsible for verifying that RCR requirements are met.
- The complete USDA policy can be found online: USDA Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research.
Training Video: The Research Clinic
The Office of Research Integrity (ORI) and the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) present The Research Clinic. The interactive training video educates clinical and social researchers on the importance of appropriately protecting research participants and avoiding research misconduct. The Research Clinic allows the viewer to assume the role of one of four characters and determines the outcome of the storyline by selecting decision-making choices for each “playable” character.
DHHS ORI RCR Resources
The Office of Research Integrity (ORI) offers a number of RCR Resources that are freely available: https://ori.hhs.gov/rcr-objectives-delphi-study.
RCR Events Heading link
RCR Workshop Series for Postdocs and Faculty: Updates on SciENcv Biosketches and ORCID IDs - 12/10/2024
RCR Workshop Series for Postdocs and Faculty: TBD - 01/13/2025
RCR Workshop Series for Postdocs and Faculty: Whose Data Is It Anyway - Data Ownership - 02/11/2025
RCR Workshop Series for Postdocs and Faculty: Mentorship - 03/10/2025
RCR Workshop Series for Postdocs and Faculty: TBD - 04/08/2025
RCR Workshop Series for Postdocs and Faculty: Safe Research Environments - 05/12/2025
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For questions about RCR or to request additional events to be added to this page, contact ORI@uic.edu.