rcr
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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rcr
All investigators and research trainees at UIC must follow federal, state, and university guidelines regarding training in the responsible conduct of research.
Most researchers, except National Institutes of Health trainees and mentees, will meet their RCR/RECR training requirements by completing the annual Research Security and Integrity Training (RSIT), as required by UIC Policy.
Who needs RECR/RCR training?
Who needs RECR/RCR training?
All faculty members, staff, investigators, personnel, students, trainees, fellows, visitors, and volunteers who participate or intend to participate in sponsored research and sponsored scholarly activities at or for University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) are required to undergo training in research security and research integrity appropriate for their role. Currently, UIC has implemented annual Research Security and Integrity Training (RSIT) that meets both research security and RCR/RECR training for most researchers. NIH RCR training is the primary exception, please see the section for the NIH RCR training for more information.
What type of RCR training is offered at UIC?
UIC offers the following RCR training:
- Annual Research Security and Integrity Training (RSIT), offered through CITI.
- 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.
- 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 faculty members, staff, investigators, personnel, students, trainees, fellows, visitors, and volunteers who participate or intend to participate in sponsored research and sponsored scholarly activities at or for University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).
- When must RCR be completed: Annually, typically from April 1 to May 31.
- 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: Annually.
- Compliance: UIC PIs are responsible for verifying that RCR requirements are met. The Office of Research Integrity is developing a tool to verify compliance.
- UIC Policy: go.uic.edu/RSITPolicy
How do I comply with USDA RCR requirements?
- Who must take RCR: All faculty members, staff, investigators, personnel, students, trainees, fellows, visitors, and volunteers who participate or intend to participate in sponsored research and sponsored scholarly activities at or for University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).
- When must RCR be completed: Annually, typically from April 1 to May 31.
- RCR Written Plan and Content: Not required, PIs are required by UIC to confirm that all personnel undergo training.
- Frequency: Annually.
- Compliance: UIC PIs are responsible for verifying that RCR requirements are met. The Office of Research Integrity is developing a tool to verify compliance.
- UIC Policy: go.uic.edu/RSITPolicy
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
RCR Workshop Series for Postdocs and Faculty: Conflict of Interest and Commitment-09/08/2026
RCR Workshop Series for Postdocs and Faculty: Conflict of Interest and Commitment-09/14/2026
RCR Workshop Series for Postdocs and Faculty: Scientific Heroism While Responsibly Conducting Research-10/12/2026
RCR Workshop Series for Postdocs and Faculty: Navigating Scientific Publication in the 21st Century: Focus on Integrity-11/10/2026
RCR Workshop Series for Postdocs and Faculty: Mentorship-12/14/2026
RCR Workshop Series for Postdocs and Faculty: Research Misconduct-01/12/2027
contact
For questions about RCR or to request additional events to be added to this page, contact ORI@uic.edu.