Training

In support of scientifically sound and ethical conduct of research, and to meet regulatory and accreditation requirements, Research Integrity & Security requires training in human research and funding-specific responsible conduct of research, when applicable. All persons involved in the design, implementation, review, and oversight of human research conducted or supported by the University must complete and maintain the required training to fulfill their obligations to conduct ethical and scientifically-sound research; and to adequately protect human participants (see the Research Integrity & Security policy manual for training requirements or follow the links below for specific information).

Training will help researchers and others involved in human research

• Understand the relevant issues at play in human research
• Formulate studies with the intent of upholding the social contract with research participants and with the perspective of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in mind

Anyone working on a study involving human participants is required by the University to complete Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI).

Waivers or Alterations for Researcher Training Requirements

On a case-by-case basis, the Director of Research Integrity & Security may waive or alter training requirements for researchers.

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)

See below for more details on how to enroll. All researchers are required to complete Human Research training. This training is required for all study personnel and must be taken at least every four years. A passing score is 80%.

NOTE: Veterans Affairs (VA) researchers must comply with VA training requirements. For information, see the VA human research page of the Research Integrity & Security website.

For non-clinical researchers (Social, Behavioral or Educational research)

Complete the Social-Behavioral-Educational (SBE) Comprehensive course in CITI.

For clinical researchers (Biomedical or Clinical research)

Complete the Biomedical (Biomed) Comprehensive course in CITI.

Instructions for CITI Human Subjects Research Training

Note: The SBE Comprehensive or Biomed Comprehensive courses meet the University IRB requirements for conducting human research. However, there may be additional requirements such as Conflict of Interest (COI) or Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR) training depending on research funding source and other factors.

You may start and stop the modules as many times as needed, log out and back in as time permits, it will pick up where you left off.

New CITI User

1. Go to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative login page.
2. Register as a new user.
3. Affiliate with the University of Nevada, Reno.
4. The next page will show courses that you have enrolled in and those you have completed. To add a course, scroll to the bottom of the page to the Learner Tools section and click on the link to “Add a Course."
5. Next, select the course you want to enroll in. Scroll down the page to the Human Subjects Protection question. Select either the Social-Behavioral-Educational course or the Biomedical course, whichever most closely matches your discipline. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click “Submit.”
6. The View Courses page for the University of Nevada, Reno will now show that the Human Subjects Training is available for you to begin.

Existing CITI User

1. Go to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative login page.
2. Log in using your registered CITI username and password.
3. Ensure that your account is affiliated with the University of Nevada, Reno. If not, click the Add Affiliation button and search for University of Nevada, Reno, then choose your course(s).
4. If you are already affiliated with University of Nevada, Reno, click View Courses then scroll down to click on: "Add a Course" to select the necessary course(s).
5. Next, select the course you want to enroll in. Scroll down the page to the Human Subjects Protection question. Select either the Social-Behavioral-Educational course or the Biomedical course, whichever most closely matches your discipline. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Submit.”
6. The View Courses page for the University of Nevada, Reno will now show that the Human Subjects Research training is available for you to begin.

The View Courses page for the University of Nevada, Reno will show new, incomplete, and completed courses.

All protocols must be submitted through IRBNet.  View  step-by-step guides to setting-up and navigating IRBNet

HIPAA compliance is necessary for ethically conducting research and preventing inappropriate disclosures of Protected Health Information (PHI).

This training is required for all persons who access, use, share and/or store PHI.

See instructions for accessing HIPAA courses in CITI.

Research Integrity & Security director and staff

• New personnel will complete an in-office human research protection training “boot camp” as determined by the Research Integrity & Security director. Training will be customized to reflect the knowledge and experience of the individual employee and may include review/discussion of applicable federal regulations, Research Integrity & Security (IRB) Policy Manual, the OHRP Guidebook, guidance documents, and any other materials identified by the Research Integrity & Security director. New personnel will also attend PRIM&R IRB 101 as funding allows.
• Optional: Ethical Research Oversight Course offered on the PRIM&R website. Does not expire.

IRB Members

• Orientation is required for new IRB members before they may participate as voting members of an IRB.
• Additional training is offered at each IRB meeting; if not in attendance, self-study of attached power point slides in IRBNet agenda documents is expected.
• Optional: Ethical Research Oversight Course offered on the PRIM&R website. Does not expire.

Export controls are federal laws and regulations that restrict the transfer of goods, technology, software and services from the U.S. to foreign countries or individuals, primarily to protect national security, domestic economy and foreign policy interests. 

Export control training is completed online through CITI. Currently, the only required module is “Export Compliance for Researchers,” but Research Integrity & Security may require completion of other modules on a case-by-case basis.

See the instructions for CITI export controls training.

Research security training equips researchers with the knowledge and tools to protect their work and the research enterprise from potential threats, including foreign interference and cybersecurity risks.

Research security training is completed online through CITI. Currently, completion of the “Research Security (Combined)” module satisfies institutional and federal training requirements.

Instructions for research security training through CITI

New CITI User

1. Go to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) login page.
2. Register as a new user.
3. Affiliate with the University of Nevada, Reno.
4. The next page will show courses that you have enrolled in and those that you have completed. To add a new course, scroll to the bottom of the page to Learner Tools and click on the link to “Add a Course.”
5. When you get to the course selection page, scroll down to “Research Security/Undue Influence,” select ”Research Security Training (Combined),” and then click “Submit.”
6. The View Courses page for the University of Nevada, Reno will show this as an Active Course and you may begin the training.

Existing CITI User

1. Go to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) login page.
2. Log in using your registered CITI username and password. This may not be the same as your University NetID and password.
3. Ensure that your account is affiliated with the University of Nevada, Reno. If not, click the Add Affiliation button and search for University of Nevada, Reno.
4. Click View Courses then scroll down to Learner Tools and click on the link to "Add a Course."
5. When you get to the course selection page, scroll down to “Research Security/Undue Influence,” select ”Research Security Training (Combined),” and then click “Submit.”
6. The View Courses page for the University of Nevada, Reno will show this as an Active Course and you may begin the training.

You may start and stop the module as many times as needed.

Once you have completed the training, CITI will create a completion certificate and send an email to Research Integrity & Security. When the time comes to renew the training, CITI will send you an email reminder.

Visit Animal Resources for information on required training and resources for those working with animals.

Investigators working on projects funded by the Public Health Service (e.g., NIH, CDC, SAMHSA, FDA, HRSA, IHS, etc.), agencies that have adopted PHS requirements, and the Department of Energy are required to complete conflict of interest (COI) training prior to the expenditure of funds on the award and at least every four years thereafter.

For this purpose, the definition of “Investigator” includes the Principal Investigator and any other person, regardless of title or position, who is responsible for the purpose, design, conduct or reporting of the project. In some instances, the definition may be expanded to include anyone who participates in the purpose, design, conduct or reporting of the project.

Additionally, all persons included in a COI Management Plan must complete COI training.

To meet this training requirement, the University of Nevada, Reno utilizes the online “Conflict of Interest” course through CITI Program. This course includes four modules, all of which must be completed. Although some of the modules are geared toward PHS researchers, they include helpful information that is applicable to all conflict of interest situations.

Sponsored Projects will not complete the set-up of an award until all required persons have completed their COI training.

The responsible conduct of research (RCR) is critical for excellence in research, as well as maintaining public trust. Consequently, education in the responsible conduct of research is considered essential to the preparation and long-term professional development of researchers at all career stages.

National Science Foundation

The NSF requires that all research personnel supported by the NSF complete RCR training.  To satisfy this requirement, the University requires undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, research staff, principal investigators and senior/key personnel supported by NSF grants and contracts to complete the CITI online course in RCR. PIs are responsible for ensuring that all members of their research team complete the required training.

U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture (USDA)

Research institutions conducting extramural research funded by the USDA/NIFA must foster an atmosphere conducive to research integrity. To satisfy this requirement, the University requires undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, research staff, principal investigators and senior/key personnel supported by USDA/NIFA grants and contracts to complete the CITI online course in RCR. PIs are responsible for ensuring that all members of their research team complete the required training.

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The NIH requires that all trainees, fellows, participants, and scholars receiving support through any NIH training, career development award (individual or institutional), research education grant, or dissertation research grant receive instruction in responsible conduct of research. NIH has published different requirements for institutional applications and individual applications. Grant applications must include an RCR training section and PIs are responsible for ensuring completion of the proposed training program. The University recommends that all persons complete the CITI online course in RCR as part of the NIH training program; however, online training alone will not fulfill the NIH RCR training requirement.

CITI RCR Training

CITI offers online RCR courses targeted at specific disciplines. Researchers may select the course most relevant to their field. Once completed, CITI RCR training does not need to be renewed.

See instructions for accessing RCR courses in CITI.