RCR is a recommended course designed for any Harvard-affiliated individuals. Fulfilling the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institute of Health (NIH) requirements for RCR instruction, the sessions utilize interactive presentations and engaging discussions with Harvard faculty and staff on a variety of research topics and practices.
The last session of RCR was held January 14-16, 2019. We will post the exact dates/times and location for the next course later this spring.
Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
This course fulfills the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health requirements for formal Responsible Conduct of Research instruction.
For NIH: All undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty supported by early career awards and training grants.
For NSF: NSF expects institutions to be able to verify that those students (undergraduates and graduates) and postdoctoral researchers who receive NSF funds (support from salary and/or stipends to conduct research on NSF grants) will obtain RCR training.
See this page for specific grant requirements of NIH and NSF.
Please share this information with any potential grantees and their Departments Chairs that may have these requirements.
(Please contact Heather Pichette at hpichette@fas.harvard.edu for more details on the Cambridge in-person course)
Available free of charge to any Harvard-affiliated individuals, RCR is a highly recommended “best practices” course for those desiring to deepen their knowledge of ethical research and responsible conduct. It is also an excellent professional opportunity for anyone interested in furthering a career in research. The course uses pre-work and interactive discussions to examine basic ethical and regulatory requirements for conducting research. Topics covered include: research misconduct; responsible authorship and publication; mentor-mentee relationships; conflicts of interest; peer review; data acquisition and management; ownership of data and biological samples; and research involving human and animal subjects.
Course requirements include attendance at all lectures, and participation in class discussions. A certificate will be issued to all participants upon successful course completion and department administrators will be made aware of those who have attended for their own records.
Responsible Conduct of Research is co-sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Research, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, the FAS Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Harvard Integrated Life Sciences, and Harvard Catalyst.
Enrollment for the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) course via the Harvard Training Portal.