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Research Training Hub

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh must complete certain trainings to remain compliant with federal, sponsor, and University requirements. These trainings help protect the safety of research participants, uphold the integrity of Pitt's research enterprise, and support responsible conduct of research.

Required Trainings for All Investigators

All researchers at Pitt must complete certain baseline trainings before beginning any research activity. These trainings establish a foundation in responsible conduct, transparency, and compliance that applies across disciplines.

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

All individuals involved in research are required to complete the CITI Responsible Conduct of Research course before performing research activities. This requirement also applies to faculty mentors listed in the IRB application who are responsible for the conduct of research for their students. Re-certification is required every 4 years.

Research Security

Effective October 1, 2025, NIH will require senior/key personnel on NIH-funded projects to complete research security training. This training covers how to properly disclose all “other support” — including resources that may not have monetary value or be located at your institution — to ensure transparency and compliance with federal rules.

Institutions must certify completion of this training for all covered individuals. NIH allows institutions to use approved materials (such as NSF-developed training) or create their own that meet federal requirements. For details, visit the NIH Research Security Training Requirements page.

To complete the Research Security training that fulfills the requirements of the NIH, NSF, and USDA:

  • Visit https://www.citi.pitt.edu.
  • Log in using your University credentials.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the menu and select “Add a Course.”
  • Under the “Other Courses” section, choose Research Security Training (currently the final option on the list).

Once completed, your training record will be automatically recorded and made available to the appropriate University offices for compliance and reporting.

Conflict of Interest

All investigators are required to complete the CITI COI training on appointment. Externally funded investigators must renew their CITI COI training 1) within four years of participating in an externally funded project and 2) at least every four years thereafter.

The COI website provides clarification regarding who is an investigator.

At the time of award and when a new investigator is added to an ongoing project, the Principal Investigator (PI) must complete the Project Investigator List and CITI COI Training Table form and submit it to the Office of Sponsored Programs. This form lists the investigators on the project and the dates they completed the CITI COI training. The PI is responsible for maintaining a copy of training completion certificates for all investigators. 

To complete the CITI COI training:

  • Log into the CITI module using your University credentials at www.citi.pitt.edu.
  • Scroll to the bottom of the menu and select "Add a Course."
  • Select the Conflict of Interest course.
  • Click next.
  • Select the relevant track:
    • If you are Public Health Service (PHS)-funded, select the COI PHS Regulated Course
    • If you are not PHS-funded, select the COI Non-PHS Regulated Course
  • Click "Next."
  • Complete the course.

Research-Specific Training

In addition to baseline requirements, some trainings are tied to the type of research being conducted. Whether you work with human subjects, animals, biosafety hazards, or other specialized areas, the sections below outline the training you need before starting your project.

Animal Research (IACUC)

All animal users must complete mandatory online training modules every 4 years. Users are required to complete the Working with Small Animal course or the Large Animal course and all applicable species-specific modules as per protocol. For example, if you are working with rats, then you must take the Small Animal course and the Working with Rats in Research Settings course.

View all of the University of Pittsburgh animal research-related courses offered by CITI. 

A summary of all reseach training courses for researchers can be found in the Research Training Table.

In addition, video trainings are provided to address specific topics. Investigators can also learn more about procedures on animals through the AALAS learning library. EH&S also provides training sessions regarding laboratory safety.

You can access this training through these links:

Navigate required CITI training modules

Human Research Protection

All members of a research team who interact with human participants or work with identifiable data must complete required IRB training before approval is issued. Training ensures that researchers understand ethical principles, federal regulations, and University policies.

At a minimum, investigators must complete:

  • Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) through CITI
  • One Human Subjects course (Biomedical or Social-Behavioral-Educational, depending on research focus)

Researchers conducting NIH-funded clinical trials, or studies that meet NIH’s definition of a clinical trial, must also complete Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training. This requirement applies to all study team members engaged in the conduct, oversight, or management of clinical trials, regardless of funding source.

How to Access Training:

  • Log in to the CITI training portal (https://www.citiprogram.org) with your Pitt credentials (linked to PittPRO/HSConnect).
  • Select the appropriate Human Subjects course for your discipline.
  • Add Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training if your study meets NIH clinical trial requirements.

Completion records are stored automatically and must be kept current, including refresher courses before expiration.

Refresher Courses

All Learners will be required to complete Refresher Courses for the Responsible Conduct of Research and Human Subjects Research courses every 4 years. Learners required to complete the GCP course must complete the Refresher Courses every 3 years. CITI will send an email reminder before the courses are due to expire.  It is important to remember that current training certifications must be maintained throughout the conduct of the research and cannot be expired at any time during the research process.

Continuing Education Credits

HRPO provides continuing education credits (CEUs) for all our programs through the UPMC Center for Continuing Education in the Health Sciences office. Credits are awarded only if attendees complete the CEU form available at the registration table for each event. Credit transcripts can be downloaded from the Center for Continuing Education.

Biosafety & Biosecurity

Biosafety – NIH Guidelines (NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules) training is required for all personnel using materials or agents that contain recombinant and/or synthetic nucleic acid molecules (DNA, RNA, or other genetic material) at the University of Pittsburgh and affiliated institutions. Training for investigators and research staff includes safety considerations in the principles of construction or handling of IBC-oversight materials, and regulatory requirements.  

Note that if you perform research activities such as: to amplify or clone plasmids in bacterial cultures, work with viral vectors, perform experiments with siRNA in vivo or in vitro, conduct clinical trials using agents that contain recombinant DNA or segments of genetic material, or maintain a breeding or crossing-breeding colony of rodents, then these activities must be registered with the Institutional Biosafety Committee Office, as they fall under experiments in the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules.

Additional training and consultation is offered by the staff of the Institutional Biosafety Office (IBC Office). Visit our website for more information.
 
Individuals are required to complete the NIH Guidelines course through CITI. No recertification required.

Human Research Protection

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