UVI is committed to research integrity and the responsible conduct of research RCR. Responsible conduct of research (RCR) is defined by the National Institute of Health as "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.” RCR is critical for excellence, as well as public trust, in science and engineering. RCR Training is essential for providing foundational knowledge, best practices, and a critical component of career development to foster a culture of research integrity.

Although there is an emphasis on RCR training to meet the requirements of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institute of Health (NIH), and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), RCR training is seen as beneficial and is open to all individuals engaged in research regardless of funding. 

Federal Sponsor RCR Requirements

National Science Foundation (NSF) Requirements

As part of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act, and as amended effective July 31, 2023, the National Science Foundation requires educating all faculty, senior personnel, undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral researchers being supported by NSF awards. Read more about the America Competes Act of 2022

National Institute of Health (NIH) Requirements

NIH updated its policy for instruction of trainees in the responsible conduct of research (NOT-OD-22-055). NIH requires that all trainees, fellows, participants, and scholars receiving support through any NIH training, career development award (individual or institutional), research education grant, and dissertation research grant must receive instruction in responsible conduct of research.  This policy also applies to any other NIH-funded programs supporting research training, career development, or research education that require instruction in responsible conduct of research as stated in the relevant funding opportunity announcements. NIH requires online training as well as face-to-face contract training. 

USDA NIFA Requirements

In accordance with sections 2, 3, and 8 of 2 CFR Part 422, institutions that conduct extramural research funded by USDA must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity, bear primary responsibility for prevention and detection of research misconduct, and are to maintain and effectively communicate, including training, to their staff regarding policies and procedures relating to research misconduct.  

RCR Training 

UVI subscribes to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) to meet the RCR training requirements of the federal sponsors. For information on subscribing to CITI and how to complete the training please see the CITI Training webpage on the OSP website. If you have any additional questions please contact the Office of Sponsored Programs at OSP@uvi.edu