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  1. Training

All Investigators

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.

  • Responsible Conduct of Research (CITI)

Trainees who receive National Science Foundation (NSF), National Institute of Health (NIH) or other support from a training grant may be required to complete additional, in person,  discussion-based RCR training. The University of Pittsburgh Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI) holds RCR Center workshops which may meet these requirements. If you have any questions about this additional requirement, contact Teri Reiche at tmr75@pitt.edu.

Research Security

Research Security training is required for all Key Personnel listed on grants from the National Institutes for Health (NIH)*, National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Energy (DOE) and the United States Departmanet of Agriculture (USDA) and recommended for all researchers. (*Research Security training meets the NIH requirement for Disclosure Training.)

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 (COI)

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.

Find 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.