Skip to main content

Responsible Conduct of Research Training

Introduction
Ethical conduct and compliance are individual responsibilities that rely on many small personal choices everyday. Responsible Conduct of Research Training is provided to all faculty, staff and students through the University CITI Program account without charge as a tool toward effective mentorship.
  • Effective July 1, 2019, Georgia Southern University tenure track faculty are to be encouraged to complete the basic course in the Responsible Conduct of Research available through the University CITI program account at the beginning of their tenure at the University. Refresher training requirements vary by College.
  • Effective January 1, 2020, faculty who wish to apply for external funding or sponsored activity must complete the Responsible Conduct of Research course prior to submission. Faculty who receive awards from NSF, NIH and NIFA are required to complete training before your award account can be established.  Principal Investigators are responsible to assure that students and investigators hired on these awards complete training and are provided appropriate mentorship.
  • Access your CITI account through the Research Resources tile on your my.georgiasouthern.edu portal or click here.
  • Instructions for Registering for a CITI account:
  • Once you have a CITI account, you must add the RCR course.  Once logged in, look for the “Add a Course” link near your course list,  scroll to Question 5, select “Responsible Conduct of Research Course,” and click Submit at the bottom of the page.

Choose Responsible Conduct of Research

If you have a CITI account at another institution, add another affiliation to Georgia Southern from the link on the Main Menu of your CITI account to receive credit for modules taken at that institution and to utilize the GS electronic systems.  (Do not drop your affiliation with prior institutions or courses taken under that institution will be deleted by the CITI system.  You may have an unlimited number of affiliations.)  Be aware that some institutions have customized their training selections or modules.  Only the standard modules that have not expired will transfer.
National Science Foundation (NSF)
Responsible Conduct of Research training is required for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students receiving support through NSF to conduct research. Georgia Southern University provides access to an online Responsible Conduct of Research course through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program that provides a base of information. Mentoring resources are provided to allow faculty enhance mentorship.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Responsible Conduct of Research training is required for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students receiving support through NIH funding that contains a training component. Principle investigators must submit a RCR training plan at the time of proposal submission for relevant funding that meets the expectations of the NIH. Such training must include a live training component and mentorship. Georgia Southern University provides access to an online Responsible Conduct of Research course through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program that provides a base of information. Mentoring resources are also provided to allow faculty to engage students in ongoing face-to-face education.
National Institute for Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA)
Responsible Conduct of Research training is required for all investigators, program directors, faculty, students and staff paid from NIFA funds to receive training in the Responsible Conduct of Research within 60 days of award or addition to the project. Georgia Southern University provides access to an online Responsible Conduct of Research course through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program that provides a base of information. Faculty are encouraged to be proactive to complete training prior to award or at the time of hiring on the award.

Last updated: 3/28/2023