Responsible Conduct of Research for Postdocs

What is Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)?

“Yale University is committed to the conduct of research and research training activities in a scientifically responsible and ethical manner. The Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training is a part of funding requirements for both the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundations (NSF).”

Source: https://your.yale.edu/research-support/conflict-interest/responsible-conduct-research-rcr

Who should take RCR?

Postdocs paid from NSF or NIH grants, fellowships or other awards are required to complete RCR.  If you are unsure how your postdoctoral position is funded or whether you are required to complete RCR, please consult your faculty mentor/supervisor or unit admin and funding agency guidance (see links below).

What are the options I have for taking RCR?

For those postdoctoral appointees paid from National Institutes of Health (NIH) T32 institutional training grants, F32 individual postdoctoral fellowships, and K awards, please register for the in-person RCR course offered by the Office for Postdoctoral Affairs which is offered each spring. Please note: if you work with Animal and/or Human Subjects, you must be sure to register for those sessions.

For those postdoctoral appointees paid from NIH R awards, NSF fellowships and research grants please take the online CITI RCR course using the instructions provided here: https://yale.box.com/s/teelxypkfifml3wyx5q067ktx8ob337g.

What do I do after I’ve completed RCR?

If you take the in-person RCR course offered by the Office for Postdoctoral Affairs, your attendance will be tracked and your completion recorded to reflect your compliance. Please note: for the in-person course, you can miss only up to two sessions, and any sessions missed must be made up (instructions for makeups will be provided).

If you take the online CITI course, please send your certificate of completion to postdocs.affairs@yale.edu and your completion will be recorded to reflect your compliance.

When do I need to take RCR again?

According to the NIH guidelines, you need to take RCR again when you: change roles or every four years.

Resources:

NIH RCR Requirements: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-22-055.html

NSF Requirements: https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/issuances/in140.jsp?org=NSF

Office for Postdoc Affairs RCR webpage: https://postdocs.yale.edu/career-services/professional-development/responsible-conduct-research