Who requires training in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)?

CU Boulder encourages all faculty, staff and trainees (i.e. undergrad and grad students, postdoctoral associates and postdoctoral fellows) involved in research to obtain instruction in RCR that is appropriate for their level of education, training, responsibility and discipline.

Currently, the following research personnel are required to complete training in RCR:

  • Any student or postdoctoral fellow who is paid from a National Science Foundation (NSF) or USDA NIFA grant award. See NSF Requirements
  • Trainees supported by specific awards (institutional training grants, educational grants, and research career development awards) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). See NIH Requirements
  • All undergraduates performing paid research on CU Boulder campus should take the CITI RCR course.

 Note: If students or postdocs complete an online or classroom RCR course somewhere other than CU Boulder, they must submit an RCR Completion Form, electronically sign it and email it to the RCR Coordinator. Be sure to give a copy to your mentor/PI for the NIH- or NSF-funded award, and keep a copy for your records.

Click Here to Determine if You Are Required to Take RCR Training

Flow chart of who has to take RCR training

Registration instructions

When was the last time I took RCR?

  • If you took CITI online training, you should be able to follow the registration instructions above for logging into CITIT and use  the "My Records" tab to determine the last time you took RCR. If it has been more than 4 years, please retake the course.
  • It would be recorded on this document if you took an in-person RCR course on this campus in the last ten years.