The University of Toledo

The University of Toledo is committed to fostering an environment of responsible conduct of research. Integrity in research and scholarship is a fundamental value upon which the University is founded. Without integrity, we could not justify the privilege of the academic freedom that is intrinsic to research, other forms of scholarship and education nor could we provide to society the advancements of knowledge that derive from free and open inquiry.

New National Science Foundation Requirements

In 2009 the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced its implementation of Section 7009 of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act (42 U.S.C. 1862o–1) (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-19930.htm). This section of the Act requires that:

The language below further describes the Institutional Responsibilities:

1. While training plans are not required to be included in proposals submitted to NSF, institutions are advised that they are subject to review upon request.
2. An institution must designate one or more persons to oversee compliance with the RCR training requirement.
3. Institutions are responsible for verifying that undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers supported by NSF to conduct research have received training in the responsible and ethical conduct of research.

 The CITI program

As part of our commitment to the responsible conduct of research, and to comply with the NSF requirements, The University of Toledo has contracted with the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) to provide online training modules in the RCR. The CITI program offers RCR core modules that are customized to various discipline categories:

·        Biological/Biomedical Sciences
·        Engineering Sciences
·        Arts and Humanities
·        Physical Sciences
·        Social and Behavioral Sciences

All undergraduate and graduate students and post-docs supported by NSF funds are required to complete, within their discipline category, chapters and pass tests covering the following RCR core areas. These areas were determined based NSF-designated core areas of competency and CITI recommendations. The Office of Research Integrity at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) identifies the same topics as core areas of focus. We estimate that this should take between three to four hours to complete:

·        Introduction to RCR
·        Authorship and Publication
·        Collaborative Research
·        Data Acquisition and Management
·        Conflict of Interest
·        Mentoring
·        Research Misconduct
·        Peer Review
·        Research Involving Human Subjects
·        Research Involving Animal Subjects

Registration and Course Completion

Access the CITI Courses by going to www.citiprogram.org and registering as a new user. Select University of Toledo in the Participating Institutions box. The username and password you choose will not be shared with anyone at UT. You will be asked to fill out two online forms with your identifying information. You will be asked to choose the course and enroll in a Learner Group that is compatible with your interests and training requirements. The program will automatically select the modules you are required to complete. Follow the instructions and links on the Learner’s Menu to begin the course you selected. You must check off the Integrity Assurance Statement every time you want to enter the course page. 

You do not have to complete the course in one sitting. You may return to the course at any time. CITI keeps track of your progress. After completing the training modules, you may view your course completion history and obtain a completion certificate, follow the link to the CITI Course Completion Report.

Print and retain a copy for your records!

New National Institutes of Health Requirement

The National Institutes of Health released its latest update on instruction in responsible conduct of research (NOT-OD-10-019). The announcement conveys some of the consensus best practices that have evolved in the research training community over the past two decades, and to provide access to additional information that may be useful to institutions and individuals in meeting their obligations under NIH policy. 

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.  The policy will take effect with all new and renewal applications submitted on or after January 25, 2010, and for all continuation (Type 5) applications with deadlines on or after January 1, 2011.  This Notice 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. 

NIH also dictates the format of the required training. “Substantial face-to-face discussions among the participating trainees/fellows/scholars/participants; a combination of didactic and small-group discussions (e.g. case studies); and participation of research training faculty members in instruction in responsible conduct of research are highly encouraged.  While on-line courses can be a valuable supplement to instruction in responsible conduct of research, online instruction is not considered adequate as the sole means of instruction. A plan that employs only online coursework for instruction in responsible conduct of research will not be considered acceptable, except in special instances of short-term training programs, or unusual and well-justified circumstances. “

To address the new NIH requirement, UT offers two courses that address the topics required by the NIH.  “On Being a Scientist” (OBAS; INDI602/802) is a graduate level course offered on the Health Science Campus during the Fall and Spring semesters.  More information may be obtained from Dr. Randall Ruch (randall.ruch@utoledo,edu). “Issues in Research and Scholarship” (ARS2980) is an undergraduate course that covers similar topics and is offered during the Summer session on the Main Campus. More information may be obtained from Dr. Tom Kvale (thomas.kvale@utoledo.edu).

Requirements for UT Students and Postdoctoral Fellows

 As described above, postdoctoral fellows, undergraduate and graduate students supported by NSF grants, or NIH training grants, must receive RCR training. The UT requirement for training may be satisfied as follows:

• Faculty on NIH training awards – participation in the teaching of the “On Being a Scientist” (OBAS) course offered on the Health Science Campus or the “Issues in Research and Scholarship” (ARS2980) course offered on the Main Campus. See course information above. Alternatively, the faculty member may attend the OBAS course. Attendance must be verified by the course instructor and the verification must be filed in the office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

• Postdoctoral Fellows on NIH training awards – attendance in the OBAS or ARS2980 courses. Attendance must be verified by the course instructor and the verification must be filed in the office of Research and Sponsored Programs. See course information above.

• Postdoctoral Fellows supported by NSF grants – attendance in the OBAS or ARS2980 courses. Attendance must be verified by the course instructor and the verification must be filed in the office of Research and Sponsored Programs. See course information above. Alternatively the fellow may log in to the online CITI training site and complete the appropriate module.

• Graduate students on NIH training awards – attendance in the OBAS or ARS2980 courses. Attendance must be verified by the course instructor and the verification must be filed in the office of Research and Sponsored Programs. See course information above.

• Graduate students supported by NSF grants – attendance in the OBAS or ARS2980 courses. Attendance must be verified by the course instructor and the verification must be filed in the office of Research and Sponsored Programs. See course information above. Alternatively the fellow may log in to the online CITI training site and complete the appropriate module.

• Undergraduate students on NIH training awards – attendance in the OBAS or ARS2980 courses. Attendance must be verified by the course instructor and the verification must be filed in the office of Research and Sponsored Programs. See course information above.

• Under graduate students supported by NSF grants – attendance in the OBAS or ARS2980 courses. Attendance must be verified by the course instructor and the verification must be filed in the office of Research and Sponsored Programs. See course information above. Alternatively the fellow may log in to the online CITI training site and complete the appropriate module.

Questions or assistance:

James P. Trempe, Ph.D.
Vice President of Research Administration
University of Toledo
2801 W. Bancroft Hall, Rm. 2300
MS# 944
Toledo, OH 43606-3390 

james.trempe@utoledo.edu

 Technical support is available at the CITI RCR Help Desk at citisupport@med.miami.edu or 305-243-7970 (8am-5pm Eastern).