Responsible Conduct of Research
Integrity in scholarship and research is one of the University’s fundamental values. Harvard is committed to fostering a robust research environment, in part through Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training and education.
Projects funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), National Science Foundation (NSF), and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) have specific requirements regarding training in RCR. Please refer to the most recent guidance on RCR from the NIH/AHRQ/HRSA, the NSF RCR web page, or confer with your research administration team for specific details and requirements of your award.
Upcoming RCR Course
The FAS Research Integrity Office hosts a weeklong intensive Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) course twice a year, typically in January and August. Questions about the RCR program should be addressed to researchintegrity@fas.harvard.edu.
The course fulfills the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) requirements for RCR/RECR instruction and is recommended for anyone conducting research at Harvard.
The next in-person FAS RCR course will take place August 3 - 7, 2026, 10 AM - 1 PM daily.
Register for the August 2026 FAS Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) course
The NSF requires training in the Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) for all undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and faculty and other senior personnel who are supported by NSF funds to conduct research.
To meet the NSF RECR requirements, Harvard affiliated researchers should complete the following courses to ensure compliance with NSF requirements.
1) complete an eligible RCR/RECR training program, which includes content on the ethical conduct of research and mentoring and mentorship best practices; and
2) complete the Harvard University Research Security Training that includes components on International Collaborations, Cyber and Data Security, International Travel, Disclosures of Conflict of Commitment and Conflict of Interest and Protecting Intellectual Property.
How to comply with NSF RECR Requirements
To comply with the NSF RECR Requirements, Harvard affiliates must complete both an eligible RCR/RECR training course AND complete the Harvard University Research Security Training. Upon completion of these courses, participants should retain a copy of their certificates of completion to document compliance with the NSF RECR training requirements and should make these certifications available upon request by the NSF and/or the Principal Investigator (NSF) of their NSF grants.
Options for Completing an Eligible RECR Training
Option 1: Complete Online RECR Training
This course is offered online and on-demand for Harvard University affiliates via the CITI Training website (citiprogram.org).
- Choose the “Log In Through My Organization” Option and log in via Harvard University
- Choose one of the following options to satisfy the RECR/RCR Requirements:
- Responsible Conduct of Research (Basic)
- Engineering Responsible Conduct of Research
- Physical Science Responsible Conduct of Research
- Social and Behavioral Science Responsible Conduct of Research
- Responsible Conduct of Research for Administrators
Option 2: Complete in-person RECR Training via the Harvard FAS RCR Course
The Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences offers in-person RCR training twice per year, in January and August. See above for current registration information.
Option 3: Alternative RCR Programs within or outside Harvard
If you have taken an RCR Program with a Harvard affiliate or outside the Harvard system, the RCR certificate may be sufficient if it covers the requisite topics. Email the FAS Research Integrity Office (researchintegrity@fas.harvard.edu) with any questions.
Options for Completing Research Security Training
Option 1: Research Security Training on Harvard Training Portal (HTP)
Access and complete the University-wide Research Security Training on HTP
Option 2: Alternate Research Security Training Programs
If you are not a “covered individual” under a Harvard grant, or you do not have a HUID, you may take the Research Security Training at your home institution or you may complete the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Research Security Training. NSF has developed and made available research security training modules which meet the requirements of NSPM-33 and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. Each module should take about 60 minutes and a certificate can be downloaded and printed as a record of completion.
For more information, Harvard affiliates can refer to these resources;
- Research Security Training Presentation (non-public SharePoint)
- Research Security Training FAQs (PDF)
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.
If you receive PHS funding (e.g., NIH, AHRQ, HRSA), these funding agencies require a minimum of eight hours of in-person RCR training, and do not accept RCR training delivered via online instruction. You should attend an in-person RCR program to meet these funding agencies’ requirements.
Options for Completing RCR Training
Option 1: Complete in-person RCR Training via the Harvard FAS RCR Program
Harvard University researchers and research staff can attend the in-person course of instruction in the responsible conduct of research (RCR) described above that fulfills the NIH requirement in Notices Number NOT-OD-22-055 and NOT-OD-10-019. The intensive weeklong course is offered in January and August, and consists of 15 hours of in-person instruction. See above for updated registration information.
Option 2: Alternative RCR Programs within or outside Harvard
If you have taken an in-person RCR Program with a Harvard affiliate or outside the Harvard system, the RCR certificate may be sufficient if it covers the requisite topics and includes a minimum of 8 in-person contact hours. Email the FAS Research Integrity Office (researchintegrity@fas.harvard.edu) with any questions.