Safeguarding investigators and critical research is more important than ever. Federal funding agencies have started to require that all senior/key personnel complete research security training, in accordance with the CHIPS and Science Act (P.L. 117-167).
The NSF SECURE Center has developed a condensed training module that covers all required research security topics. Per NSF Important Notice No. 149 “NSF, NIH, DOE, and DOD all recognize completion of the condensed module as compliant with their respective RST requirements.”
VU and VUMC have partnered with CITI to make the NSF SECURE training available to the entire Vanderbilt research community. The combined module should take about one hour and can be completed in CITI across multiple sessions. Note that only the “Combined” module will fulfill the VUMC training requirement. The other CITI research security training modules are recommended but optional. All are free to the investigator.
The Office of Sponsored Programs will receive CITI reports and certify training completion to sponsors. The sponsor may also ask key personnel to individually certify their training completion.
Accessing the Training
Log in to CITI. Affiliate with Vanderbilt University and add the Research Security Training course titled “Research Security Training (Combined Course) A condensed and combined single-module course based on the NSF’s Research Security Training.” Only the combined module fulfills the VUMC training requirement.
If you are new to CITI, download the Office of Research guide for detailed instructions on registering for a CITI account and accessing the course.
Training Requirement
All VUMC principal investigators should complete the training by Jan. 15, or before serving as senior/key personnel on a federal grant submission, whichever comes first.
Any trainees or staff members who serve as senior/key personnel on a federal grant submission are also required to complete the training. Training must be complete prior to grant submission.
Email ResearchSecurity@vumc.org with any questions.