1. What is the background behind this training requirement?
NSF RCR Training Requirement implements provisions of the America COMPETES Act. The NSF RCR guidelines are published at Part I – Grant Proposal Guide and in Part II – Award and Administration Guide.
2. Does the NSF have a RCR FAQ website?
NSF maintains a RCR FAQ website at Responsible Conduct of Research Frequently Asked Questions.
3. When does this training requirement go into effect?
RCR Training Requirement is effective on those NSF research awards funding new full proposals submitted to the NSF on or after January 4, 2010.
4. Who must complete the RCR training?
The NSF requires all undergraduate, graduate students and postdocs who receive NSF support (salary and/or stipend) to conduct research be provided training in the Responsible Conduct of Research.
5. What are UF’s Responsibilities?
At the time of a NSF proposal submission, the Division of Sponsored Programs (DSP) certifies that the University of Florida has a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers who will be supported by NSF to conduct research.The University of Florida must be able to verify that undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers supported by NSF to conduct research have received RCR Training.
6. What is UF’s RCR Training Plan?
In response to this NSF requirement, the University of Florida requires all students and postdocs conducting research and paid (salary and/or stipend) directly from a NSF sponsored project to complete the RCR Training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). The CITI RCR Training is on-line and free. The CITI RCR Training is discipline specific (Biomedical, Social and Behavioral, Physical Science, Humanities, Engineers) and covers the following essential RCR topics:• Research Misconduct • Data Acquisition and Management • Responsible Authorship • Peer Review • Laboratory Animal Welfare • Human Subjects Protections • Mentoring • Conflicts of Interest • Collaborative Research •For a signed pdf version see UF’s RCR Training Plan
7. Where do you go to Log-in, Register and Complete RCR Training?
Navigation Instruction to CITI’s on-line RCR Training
8. How does UF verify completion of RCR Training?
Each student and postdoc who is paid (salary and/or stipend) directly from a NSF sponsored project will be notified by email that they must take the CITI on-line RCR Training. The email will provide instructions and navigation to myUFL which will be the gateway to CITI RCR Training.The University will track and verify RCR Training completion of students and postdocs using the myUFL system.
9. What are the Principal Investigator’s Responsibilities?
Principal Investigator’s (PIs) do not need to document anything in the proposal on RCR Training. DSP certifies to the NSF that RCR Training is provided when submitting a proposal.PIs of NSF sponsored projects are encouraged to complete the CITI on-line RCR Training and have RCR discussions with their students and postdocs.DSP will call on PIs to help direct students and postdocs to Login, Register and complete the RCR Training.
10. How many times will a student or postdoc need to take RCR Training for a NSF grant?
UF’s current requirement is to take the RCR Training once.
11. Do volunteers on an NSF project require RCR Training?
Volunteers are not required to take the UF RCR Training. The NSF regulation and UF’s implementation only requires students and postdocs who are paid directly (salary and/or stipend) from a NSF sponsored project conducting research to take the UF RCR Training.
12. Will UF accept RCR Training received from another Institution?
UF will not accept RCR Training received from another Institution. You will be required to take UF’s RCR Training.
13. When does RCR Training need to be completed?
Students and postdocs who are paid (salary and/or stipend) directly from a NSF Sponsored project will be notified by email to complete the RCR Training through the CITI on-line service provider.The expectation is all students and postdocs find time immediately upon receipt of the email notification to log-in, register and complete the UF RCR Training.The email notification will continue every 2 weeks with the Principal Investigator copied until the RCR Training is completed.
14. What happens when a student or postdoc cannot or did not complete the RCR Training?
The expectation is all students and postdocs will take the RCR Training. DSP will have the ability to track students and postdocs that do not complete RCR Training. In those cases DSP will contact the individuals directly as well as contact the Principal Investigator for assistance.If there are circumstances that prevent a student or postdoc from taking the RCR Training, the student, postdoc and/or PI should notify the RCR Compliance Coordinator, as soon as possible.
15. Who at UF can be contacted with questions about the NSF RCR Training Requirement?
Questions may be directed to Stephanie Gray, Associate Director of Research and RCR Compliance Coordinator.