Office of
Research and Creative Scholarship

NIH RCR Resources

NIH RCR Training

Training in the Responsible Conduct of Research

RCR Training for NSF Grants—FAQs

  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 in Part I – Grant Proposal Guide and Part II – Award and Administration Guide.

  2. Does the NSF have an RCR FAQ website?

    NSF maintains an 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 and graduate students and postdocs who receive NSF support (salary and/or stipend) to conduct research to be provided training in the Responsible Conduct of Research.

  5. What are AU’s Responsibilities?

    At the time of an NSF proposal submission, the Office of Research and Creative Scholarship certifies that Andrews University plans to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers who NSF will support to conduct research.

    Andrews University 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 AU’s RCR Training Plan?

    In response to this NSF requirement, Andrews University requires all students and postdocs conducting research and paid (salary and/or stipend) directly from an NSF-sponsored project to complete the RCR Training through the NIH Training. The NIH Training is online and free.

    • 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 AU’s RCR Training Plan

  7. Where do you go to Login, Register, and Complete RCR Training?

    Follow the hyperlink to Navigation Instruction for NIH online RCR Training.

  8. How does AU verify the completion of RCR Training?

    Each student and postdoc who is paid (salary and/or stipend) directly from an NSF-sponsored project will be notified by email that they must take the NIH online RCR Training. The email will provide instructions and navigation to XXXX, which will be the gateway to NIH RCR Training.

    The University will track and verify the completion of students and postdocs in RCR Training using the XXXX system.

  9. What are the Principal Investigator’s Responsibilities?

    Principal Investigators (PIs) do not need to document anything in the proposal on RCR Training. Office of Research & Creative Scholarship (ORCS)SP certifies to the NSF that RCR Training is provided when submitting a proposal.

    PIs of NSF-sponsored projects are encouraged to complete the NIH online RCR Training and have RCR discussions with their students and postdocs.

    ORCS 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 an NSF grant?

    AU’s will require that you take the RCR Training once.

  11. Do volunteers on an NSF project require RCR Training?

    Volunteers are not required to take the AU RCR Training. The NSF regulation and AU’s implementation only requires students and postdocs who are paid directly (salary and/or stipend) from an NSF-sponsored project conducting research to take the AU RCR Training.

  12. Will AU accept RCR Training received from another Institution?

    AU will not accept RCR Training received from another Institution. You will be required to take AU’s RCR Training.

  13. When does RCR Training need to be completed?

    Students and postdocs who are paid (salary and/or stipend) directly from an NSF-sponsored project will be notified by email to complete the RCR Training through the NIH online service provider.

    The expectation is all students and postdocs find time immediately upon receipt of the email notification to login, register, and complete the AU RCR Training.

    The email notification will continue every two 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. ORCS will have the ability to track students and postdocs who have not completed RCR Training. In those cases ORCS 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 Mordekai Ongo, Research Integrity and Compliance Officer, as soon as possible.

  15. Who at AU can be contacted with questions about the NSF RCR Training Requirement?

    Questions may be directed to Mordekai Ongo, Research Integrity and Compliance Officer.