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The National Science Foundation has issued some further clarifications for the new responsible conduct of research (RCR) policy, which goes into effect on January 4, 2010. Briefly, this will require institutions receiving funds to certify that appropriate training in the responsible and ethical conduct of research is in place for all undergraduates, graduate students, and post docs that are supported by NSF to conduct research. The content and delivery method(s) of the training are determined by the institution.

• Jean Feldman, head of the NSF’s policy office, made the following points about this requirement in October:
• NSF expects that institutions will be able to track and document that the above have received training.
• Institutions are required to have a plan in place, but this plan will not be a part of individual proposals.
• The requirement is not retroactive and does not apply to increments of continuing awards.

This is an interest item of the inspector general and institutions can expect their plans to be requested as a part NSF’s auditing process. David Bond and Denis Charlesworth have met with several deans and faculty to get input for the best way to implement this for RIT. Elements of RCR are in place in various curricula across RIT. SRS will make some resources available for basic RCR training to supplement what is in the curriculum.