National Institute of Health (NIH)

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

NIH RCR training is required for 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*. See NIH Notice Number: NOT-OD-10-019 Update on the Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research for more information.

Each training grant application must include a description of the plan to provide trainees with formal and informal instruction on scientific integrity and ethical principles in research. Plans for instruction in the responsible conduct of research must address the subject matter, format, degree of faculty participation, trainee attendance, and the frequency of instruction. The plans should be developed to meet the specific needs of the trainees. Refer to the provided Template Language for Proposal Submissions for assistance in understanding the requirements and elements of RCR education and developing a RCR educational plan.

The NIH is changing its requirements for RCR training. See NIH Notice Number: NOT-OD-22-055 FY 2022 Updated Guidance: Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research.

* 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 applies to the following programs: D43, D71, F05, F30, F31, F32, F33, F34, F37, F38, K01, K02, K05, K07, K08, K12, K18, K22, K23, K24, K25, K26, K30, K99/R00, KL1, KL2, R25, R36, T15, T32, T34, T35, T36, T37, T90/R90, TL1, TU2, and U2R. 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.