Background:

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Science Foundation (NSF) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) require Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training.

NIH: The NIH began requiring RCR education in 1989 and has updated the RCR policy several times. 

NSF: By mandate of the United States Congress in the America Competes Act, Section 7009 and the CHIPS + Science Act requires all faculty, senior personnel, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students supported by NSF funding to receive training in Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR).  At the time a proposal is submitted to the NSF, UW–Madison certifies there is a RECR training plan in place. 

USDA NIFA: The April 2013 Research Terms and Conditions for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) added a responsible conduct of research (RCR) training requirement to specific awards. This applies to Hatch Regular, Hatch Multistate, McIntire-Stennis, and Evans-Allen Animal Health awards.

Requirements:

1. National Institutes of Health: UW-Madison NIH RCR Policy requires a minimum of eight hours of face-to-face training every four years for trainees, fellows, participants, and scholars supported by some types of D, F, K, R, T, and U awards. At UW–Madison, the plan for meeting these requirements is included in the grant application.
   
   
2. National Science Foundation: UW-Madison NSF RECR Policy: All principal investigators, co-investigators, faculty, key persons, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and undergraduate students supported by NSF funding at UW–Madison must take the Responsible Conduct of Research course in Canvas.
   
   
3. U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture: UW–Madison NIFA RCR Policy: At UW–Madison, principal investigators, co-investigators, and participants supported by a USDA NIFA award must take the "Responsible Conduct of Research" course in Canvas. This includes, but is not limited to, undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and sub-recipient participants. 
   
   
4. USDA NIFA Capacity (142) Awards: All UW–Madison active principal investigators, co-investigators, undergraduate students, and graduate students supported by 142 Hatch funds, must receive responsible conduct of research course in Canvas.