NSF Mandatory Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research

On January 4, 2010, the National Science Foundation (NSF) implemented a requirement that all NSF-funded students and post doctoral scholars must undergo training in the responsible conduct of research (RCR). This was mandated from the 2007 America COMPETES Act. All institutions submitting proposals to NSF must also certify that they have a training plan in place for undergraduate and graduate students and post doctoral scholars who will be supported by NSF to conduct research.

Principal Investigators with students and other trainees (e.g., postdocs) working on sponsored projects funded by NSF must ensure with documented evidence that these trainees have received training in the responsible and ethical conduct of research.  Certification is obtained through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). Access, registration, and all course material for training in the ethical conduct for research are located at the following site https://about.citiprogram.org/.

Individuals must register with CITI and affiliate with Cal Poly to complete the required training modules and obtain the completion certification.  Once completed, the training is good for two (2) years.  If you have not used CITI previously, click the Register button, search for "California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo", and continue through the steps to create an account and affiliate yourself with Cal Poly.  Principal Investigators must communicate to their trainees which modules must be completed to meet federal requirements.  For assistance identifying the appropriate modules, contact the Grants Development Office.