Online Training for IRB, IACUC, and RCR
Minot State University subscribes to the CITI Course to provide faculty, staff, and students access to required training for Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) as well as for the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC).
RCR, IRB, and IACUC training courses are available on the CITI Training Site.
The Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) course provides a comprehensive course specifically focusing on research ethics, research misconduct, responsible authorship, and conflicts of interest. Completion of the RCR workshop satisfies NDUS Policy 410, the NSF requirement for researchers funded through NSF grants.
The IRB courses provide education about protection of human research subjects and the role and responsibilities of the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Completion of the IRB workshop satisfies federal agency requirements for researchers receiving funding through such agencies. Similarly, the Animal Research course satisfies Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) requirements.
RCR Training Requirement
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) is defined as the practice of scientific investigation with integrity. Research is to be conducted in a manner that accurately reflects the research record and avoids research misconduct such as fabrication of data, falsification of data, and plagiarism. To ensure researchers who participate in sponsored research activities understand and practice RCR, they must complete appropriate training. Similarly, IRB and IACUC members must also complete training.
RCR training is required for the following:
- Research activities receiving external funding or support - Undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers participating in these research activities. "Support" includes nonmonetary provision or access to equipment, supplies or lab space by paid or unpaid research participants.
- NSF Funding - Undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers.
- USDA-NIFA Funding - Researchers and staff members who conduct USDA-funded research
- NIH Funding - NIH Institutional Research Training Grants, Individual Fellowship Awards, Career Development Award (Institutional and Individual), Research Education Grants, Dissertation Grants, or other grant programs with a training component that requires instruction in responsible conduct of research.**
** NIH has additional training requirements for RCR. Please contact the Office of Sponsored Programs (701-858-3578) prior to applying for an NIH grant and upon receiving one.
To complete RCR training:
- Visit the CITI Training Site.
- Create an account by clicking on Register in the top right.
- Make sure you enter Minot State University as the Organization Affiliation (do not continue as an independent learner).
- Once you are registered and logged into the CITI site, from the Main Menu, select Minot State University courses, then select Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) for Administrators.
- Once you complete the course, go to My Reports and print a copy. Send the copy to amy.armstrong@ndus.edu.
