Research Integrity
The integrity of knowledge generated through research and scholarly activity depends on a commitment to responsible research practices. Research integrity depends on an adherence to a common set of accepted values and principles.
The Research Integrity Program at The University of Texas at Austin has two primary goals:
- To foster and reinforce a culture of research integrity through responsible conduct of research (RCR) education
- To ensure compliance with RCR training requirements put forth by federal research sponsors
Federal Research Sponsor RCR Requirements
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF) and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) require certain categories of researchers to receive RCR training. However, RCR is increasingly viewed as an essential component of training regardless of a researcher's source of funding.
The following funding agencies require RCR training as outlined. Proposal funding scores can be negatively impacted if RCR training plans are deemed insufficient.
For the most up to date training options, please visit our Research Integrity Training Options page.
| Agency | RCR Training Audience | Type of Award | UT Training Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Science Foundation (NSF) |
All personnel who will be supported by an award:
|
All NSF-supported research | Undergraduate Students:
Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Researchers:
Faculty and Other Senior Personnel:
|
| National Institutes of Health (NIH) | All participants (trainees, fellows, participants and scholars) of specific award types |
|
Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Researchers:
Faculty and Staff:
|
| US Department of Agriculture – National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) | All personnel who will be supported by an award:
|
All USDA-NIFA supported research | Graduate Students & Postdoctoral Researchers:
Faculty & Staff:
|
*CNS is offering research mentoring workshops to faculty in the college starting in Fall 2025. Contact the Faculty Affairs office for more information: cnsfacultyaffairs@austin.utexas.edu.
**Online training is insufficient to meet the NIH RCR requirements. NIH personnel may take CITI training as a component of their RCR plan, but they must also RCR training with “significant face-to-face interaction” The UT Austin RCR 2-Day Workshop is specifically designed to meet this requirement.
NIH RCR Training Requirements
All trainees, fellows, participants and scholars receiving support through any NIH training grant, career development award (individual or institutional), research education grant or dissertation research grant must receive instruction in RCR. Review NIH RCR NOT-OD-10-019 and NOT-OD-22-055. For the specified award categories, the PI must develop a discipline-specific, tailored plan for RCR training that meets the NIH requirements. The instructional plan is evaluated as a component of the NIH funding proposal.
The PI is responsible for ensuring that RCR training is completed and training records are maintained to document that all NIH supported trainees, fellows and scholars received the required instruction. The PI must also comply with the specific reporting requirements in continuation applications. The instructional plan should include coursework with significant face-to-face interaction and participation by research faculty members. Analysis of relevant case studies is recommended. While online instruction may be used as a component of the training program, it is not sufficient to meet the NIH requirement for RCR instruction, except in special or unusual circumstances.
NSF RECR Training Requirements
NSF requires training in the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) for all individuals supported by an award, including:
- The principal investigator and other senior personnel
- Postdocs
- Graduate and undergraduate students
Per the NSF, the institution must certify that a plan is in place to provide RECR training and the training must include mentor training and mentorship. The Research Integrity Program will contact PIs to request a plan after the award has been granted. The PI is responsible for ensuring all other supported research personnel (postdocs and trainees) participate in RECR training. For details and a list of available training options, see NSF RECR Training Details.
USDA-NIFA RCR Training Requirements
USDA requires that all personnel participating in USDA-funded research be trained in the responsible and ethical conduct of research (RCR), including:
- The principal investigator and other senior personnel
- Postdocs
- Graduate and undergraduate students
The ethics training will, at a minimum, emphasize three key areas of research ethics: authorship and plagiarism, data and research integration, and reporting misconduct. The PI and senior personnel must complete RCR training prior to award setup. Once an award is issued, the PI is responsible for ensuring all other supported research personnel (postdocs and trainees) participate in RCR training.