Responsible Conduct of Research

Federal Funding agencies, to include the Public Health Services (agencies such as NIH, AHRQ, HRSA, CDC, etc.), National Science Foundation and USDA NIFA Require that institutions of higher education have in place written policies and procedures for addressing allegations of research misconduct; as well as providing education and support to researchers at all career stages to promote the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR).

Requirements Include the Following:

  1. )  All Faculty, other senior/key personnel, undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers (to include NIH Trainees, fellows, participants, scholars) receiving support through federal funding programs. 
  2. Training must occur at least during each career stage (faculty) and at a frequency no less than once every four years for all participants. 
  3. Acceptable plans for RECR instruction include training in a variety of topics to include face-to-face discussions, a combination of didactic and small group discussions, video conferencing and participation of research training faculty members in RECR Instruction. Gonzaga utilizes the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) to assist in the instructional components of Responsible Conduct of Research (RECR) requirements.
  4. Upon completing the CITI training modules, faculty, staff, and students should send their certificate of completion to Sponsored Research & Programs at sponsoredresearch@gonzaga.edu

Note to Faculty Researchers/Investigators

It is a Principal Investigator's responsibility to inform all undergraduate students, graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows whether on federal funding or not of the RECR instructional requirements for research and ensure that it is completed prior to any research being conducted or external funding being spent.

Questions?

Please email Sponsored Research & Programs at sponsoredresearch@gonzaga.edu if you have any questions or need assistance with completing the RECR training requirements.

Last update: 30, January 2025