Federal agencies require that grant recipients comply with Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training requirements in recognition of the importance of research integrity and in the responsible and ethical conduct of research as part of the America COMPETES Act (America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act).

Who must be trained?

Agency PI Undergraduate Students Grad Students Post Doctoral Program Director Staff
NIH X X X X    
NSF   X X X    
USDA X X X X X X


Frequency & format of training

Agency Frequency Format
NIH Every four (4) years At least eight (8) face-to-face contact hours. Online supplemental instruction may be used for a portion
NSF Once Fully online via CITI
USDA Once Fully online via CITI


Principal Investigators of active NIH, NSF, and USDA grants must provide the Office of Sponsored Research and Federal Relations with verification that the applicable parties impacted by the grant have completed the RCR training.

Use CITI for online RCR training

After completing the CITI online training module, please provide copies of certification of completion for each person in need of training to the Office of Sponsored Research and Federal Relations at least annually or more frequently as required.

How to Access CITI online: Fort Lewis College is not listed in the "Login through my Institution" option, so:

  • Go to the CITI webpage and choose “Register”
  • Under "Select Your Organization Affiliation” type “Fort Lewis College” and check the boxes to agree to the Terms of Service and that you are an affiliate of Fort Lewis College
  • Then enter the requested information to create your account
  • Do not use the "Login through my Institution" option

NIH annual RCR training

Ongoing face-to-face RCR training is coordinated and delivered by the Undergraduate Research Support Coordinator on campus. Contact Dr. Christine Smith for the schedule of current face-to-face RCR trainings. Training topics include:

  • Scientific misconduct
  • Human subject research
  • Animal subject research
  • Mentor-mentee relationships
  • Data handling
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Collaborations
  • Peer review

Helpful website addresses