Responsible and ethical conduct of research (RECR) involves the awareness and application of established professional norms and ethical principles in the performance of all research-related activities. At UWM, the administration, faculty, staff, and students share the responsibility of preserving the integrity of research conducted within the institution. In all research endeavors, we are guided by ethical behavior rooted in integrity, accountability, and responsibility.
UWM Research Integrity Training
UWM’s Research Integrity Training Policy (SAAP 14-7) requires all UWM faculty and PI-approved academic staff to complete a set of research integrity training modules.
The policy serves to foster high ethical standards through developed trainings and sets expectations for covering federal and institutional integrity, accountability, and responsibility standards for research.
The Research Integrity Training program is comprised of the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training through the CITI program, and three internally developed Research Integrity Training modules (Modules 01, 02, 03) through Canvas.
| Training Module | Required or Optional | Description | Training System |
| Performing Research or Creative Work at UWM | Required | Addresses the training expectations of faculty and addresses the critical component of compliance. | Canvas |
| Responsible Conduct of Research | Required | Provides essential guidance for faculty by promoting ethical research practices and fostering a culture of integrity. Addresses the awareness and application of established professional norms and ethical principles in the performance of all activities related to research. | CITI |
| Pre-Award Roles & Responsibilities | Required | Addresses the essentials and best practices to develop, route, edit, and submit an application for sponsored funding. | Canvas |
| Post-Award Roles & Responsibilities | Required | Addresses the planning, initiation, and best practices for managing a sponsored project. | Canvas |
UWM’s Research Integrity Training is required for all UWM faculty and PI-approved academic staff. The training is also highly recommended, though not required, for all staff involved in UWM research activities.
Access Guidance for Office of Research Online Trainings
The Office of Research utilizes two training systems to host online training (Canvas and
CITI). Access to both systems is necessary to complete both voluntary and mandatory
training.
Canvas Research Integrity Training
In order to access trainings in Canvas, go to the Office of Research Canvas Training Page and enroll to access available trainings. The Office of Research Training Page includes multiple training modules covering a wide range of topics. The RIT Policy requires completion of Modules 1, 2, and 3. Compliance is documented through the completion of an attendance verification question associated with each module.
UWM Responsible Conduct of Research CITI Training
UWM uses the online CITI RCR training system to satisfy federal responsible conduct for research training requirements.
What is CITI RCR training?
- Training on the rules, regulations, and ethical principles governing responsible conduct of
research across disciplinary fields. - A series of 11 online modules and quizzes; participants must take and pass all modules to
receive the required certification of completion.
How do I complete it?
- Go to the CITI training website.
- If you are already registered in CITI, log into your existing account by using your UWM PantherID and password.
- If you are not registered, create an account. Click “Register” on the right side of the screen. In the Organization Affiliation box, enter “University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee”, then select it from the list.
- You will be prompted to choose from a list of available training courses. Select “RCR Training”.
- For each module there is a choice of two videos; you must watch at least one (although you are encouraged to watch both). If selecting one, choose the one that best fits the type of research you plan to conduct.
- Complete the training. A score of at least 80% is required on each module before a completion report will be issued.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to do the training all at once?
No, your progress is saved. You can leave it and come back to it over hours, days, or even weeks.
What if I don’t receive a high enough score?
You can review any module and retake the quiz until you attain an overall score of at least 80%.
I forgot to print my completion report. What do I do?
You can log back in and print it anytime.
Who needs a copy of my completion report?
Keep a copy for your own records.
What if I have questions or trouble logging into CITI?
Contact Jeff Nytes(jpnytes@uwm.edu), UWM Research Compliance Manager.
Federal Responsible Conduct of Research Training
Receiving instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research has become a requirement for certain U.S. federal funding agencies, and it is increasingly becoming a standard part of researchers’ training. Federal responsible conduct of research (RCR) training requirements vary by agency. Where applicable, UWM is committed to full compliance. This document provides agency-specific responsible conduct of research training requirements as of July 31, 2023.
At present, three federal agencies, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of
Health, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture require research personnel financially supported on a funded project to complete training in research ethics and integrity. Additional agencies may issue RCR training requirements in the future. The specific training requirements for each agency is described below.
National Science Foundation (NSF)
NSF requires all project personnel supported by NSF funding to receive training in the responsible and ethical conduct of research (RECR). This includes faculty Principal Investigators and Co-Investigators and other senior personnel, postdoctoral researchers, and graduate and undergraduate students. This requirement, mandated through the America Competes Act, Section 7009 and the CHIPS + Science Act, section 10337, is effective on all NSF proposals submitted after July 30, 2023. NSF’s latest guidance is noted below and the complete policy can be accessed here.
Section 7009 of the America Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in
Technology, Education, and Science (COMPETES) Act (42 USC 1862o–1), as amended, requires that each institution that applies for financial assistance from the Foundation for
science and engineering research or education describe in its grant proposal a plan to provide appropriate training and oversight in the responsible and ethical conduct of research to undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and other senior personnel supported by the proposed research project. Such training must include mentor training and mentorship.
UWM Requirements to Comply with the NSF RECR Policy
All UWM Principal Investigators, Co-Investigators, faculty, key personnel, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students supported by NSF funding must complete “Responsible Conduct of Research Training” through CITI. Instituted administrative consequences are in place when institutional or federal training requirements are incomplete.
National Institutes of Health (NIH)
NIH requires all trainees, fellows, participants, and scholars receiving support through any NIH
training, career development award, research education grant, and dissertation research grant to participate in a minimum of eight hours of training in the responsible conduct of research every four years. NIH’s latest guidance (NOT-OD-22-055) is noted below and the complete policy can be accessed here.
NIH RCR Training requirements apply 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. In
addition, training requirements apply to any other NIH-funded programs supporting
research training, career development, or research education that require instruction in
responsible conduct of research as stated in the relevant funding opportunity
announcements. NIH policy can be found here.
UWM Requirements to Comply with the NIH RCR Policy
All students and post-docs supported by NIH training grants must complete the “Responsible
Conduct of Research Training” through CITI. In addition, NIH requires face-to-face discussionbased instruction to be included as a component of RCR training. At UWM, the guidelines for meeting these requirements include (1) completion of UWM’s RCR Training through CITI, and (2) four hours of face-to-face discussion-based instruction. This cumulative training must be completed every four years. UWM’s plan to meet these requirements must be outlined and included in the grant application. Instituted administrative consequences are in place when institutional or federal training requirements are incomplete.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/NIFA):
All personnel supported by a USDA/NIFA award are required to complete research ethics training. This includes faculty, staff, students, postdoctoral researchers, and subrecipient participants. Prime recipients are obligated by USDA/NIFA to flow down this term to subrecipients. USDA/NIFA cites accordance with sections 2, 3, and 8 of 2 CFR Part 422. USDA/NIFA RCR guidelines can be found here.
UWM Requirements to Comply with the USDA/NIFA RCR Policy
All UWM principal investigators, co-investigators, faculty, key persons, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students supported by USDA/NIFA funding must complete the “Responsible Conduct of Research Training” through CITI. Instituted administrative consequences are in place when institutional or federal training requirements are incomplete.
Research Misconduct
UWM fosters a research environment that discourages misconduct in all research and deals forthrightly with allegations of research misconduct. The responsibility for preserving the integrity of research conducted at UWM is shared by administration, faculty, staff, and students.
The UWM Policy on Research Misconduct defines research misconduct as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results. The policy describes the steps in the determination of whether allegations of misconduct require further inquiry and investigation and includes the process for inquiry and investigation. The Research Misconduct Policy applies to anyone who, at the time of the alleged misconduct, was employed by, was an agent of, or was affiliated by contract or agreement with UWM. This includes faculty, staff, employees in training, students, contractors, volunteers, and guests.
Fiscal Integrity
Fiscal integrity is a shared responsibility across UWM. Units, including the Division of Finance and Administrative Affairs; the Office of Research; Schools, and Colleges, Divisions; and Principal Investigators (PIs) work together to ensure that UWM meets its federal and state financial stewardship obligations.
Financial Award Management is a shared responsibility between the Office of Sponsored Programs, the PI, and the PI’s School/College/Division or unit. It ensures that, as a grant recipient, UWM is a responsible steward of the sponsor’s resources.
Sponsored Project Compensation Certification recognizes the importance of providing good stewardship in managing extramural funds. The university’s stewardship responsibilities include complying with federal requirements to certify faculty and staff compensation on federally sponsored projects.
Purchasing and Procurement practices must be in accordance with federal and state laws, UW System, and UWM policies, procedures, guidelines, and best practices.
Fiscal Misconduct is defined as “a deliberate act or failure to act that is contrary to established laws, regulations or policies and which results or was intended to result in either loss or other damage to the State or the UW System or improper personal gain.”
Intellectual Property Management
The UWM Research Foundation (UWMRF) is UWM’s designated intellectual property (IP) management organization that employs a structured process for managing intellectual property related to discoveries, copyrightable works, and inventions, made or developed at UWM by UWM faculty, staff, students, and employees. UWMRF is also the entry point for exploring corporate partnerships or technology transfer.
Invention Disclosure: UWM researchers have an obligation to disclose inventions created while carrying out their university duties, using any university funding, or using university premises, supplies, or equipment.
The UWM Office of Sponsored Programs provides administrative support for contracts and technology transfer activities, including contract review, award negotiation and acceptance, and account setup.
Research Data Management
Data Management Plans: Many federal sponsors require Principal Investigators to include with their proposal a plan that describes how the data generated from the funded project will be accessed, stored, managed, and shared.
UWM Research Data Management Policy: In compliance with applicable agreements, policies, regulations, and relevant federal and state laws, UWM research data shall be appropriately maintained in sufficient detail for an adequate period of time to meet the stewardship, retention, accessibility, and security expectations of external agencies and to facilitate the review and verification of research results