Beginning in January 2010, many federal grantmaking agencies, including the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health, began requiring grantees to certify that the institution has a plan in place to provide training to undergraduates on the responsible conduct of research.
Gettysburg College embraces the notion that sound research is critical to the advancement of knowledge in all disciplines. Furthermore, as noted in the institution’s mission statement, one of Gettysburg’s core values is “The free and open marketplace of ideas and the exploration of the ethical and spiritual dimensions of those ideas…”
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training is required for all students working on federally funded grants (receiving pay, academic credit, volunteer hours, or working with federally funded research instrumentation). Faculty Principal Investigators (P.I.’s) have the primary responsibility for training the undergraduate students. Compromises to responsible conduct of research cannot be condoned.
Faculty and students doing research with human subjects or animals should use the RCR modules found through CITI.
- Click “New Users Register Here”.
- Select Gettysburg College as your “Participating Institution”.
- Complete the remaining registration form.
- Use your Gettysburg College email address as your username.
Additionally, this online curriculum should be supplemented by in-person instruction on aspects of ethical research conduct appropriate to the specific project.
In order to document that the College is providing the necessary oversight, each P.I. who will be conducting federally funded research will be responsible for ensuring that a certification form, signed by both the student and the P.I., is submitted to Maureen Forrestal, Assistant Provost for Student Scholarly Engagement and Dean of Fellowships, Scholarships & Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity. Training should be completed prior to the student starting work on the project.