To be eligible as a principal investigator (PI) the core Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) curriculum, part 1 and part 2, must be completed. In addition, eligibility includes instruction on the specific topics (human subjects, animal subjects or hazard materials) if these topics are relevant to your research or sponsored project. More information can be found under Additional Courses.

If the core RCR curriculum (RCR Parts 1 & 2) or any relevant additional courses (human subjects, animal subjects or environmental health) have not been completed prior to the submission of a proposal, a warning email will be received from SPA. This email will not stop the proposal from submission, but funds will not be released until all the educational requirements are met.

Once a PIs core curriculum has been completed for over a year, RCR Continuing Education is required, and a warning email will be received from SPA. This email will not stop a proposal from submission, but funds will not be released until all the educational requirements are met. The RCR Continuing Education requirements are twofold: an annual Information Update (completed online) and an Awareness/Discussion Update (completed in-person) beginning Fall2008. For more information, please contact us.

Faculty members of the University wrote the core curriculum and facilitate the workshops. It is currently organized into two workshops:

Course Schedule & Registration indicates the next available sessions of in-person RCR Part 1 and how to register. Part 1 and 2 are not cumulative and can be taken in either order.

For more information about RCR, part 2 courses that can be completed electronically, please check out the Electronic Courses page.

For more information or any questions, please feel free to contact us.