Responsible and Ethical Conduct in Research

Here at Tennessee State University, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and ethics in all research activities. The Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) program is designed to ensure that all researchers—students, faculty, and staff—are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to conduct ethical and responsible research. RECR training covers key areas such as data management, authorship, peer review, conflicts of interest, human and animal subjects, and research misconduct. By promoting a culture of responsibility and accountability, we aim to foster trust, transparency, and excellence in research that advances scientific knowledge and benefits society.

Funding Agency Requirements

Different funding agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), require researchers to complete RECR training. These requirements ensure that researchers are well-versed in ethical standards, data management, human and animal subject protections, and research integrity.

National Institute of Health (NIH)  Requirements

The National Institutes of Health requires all trainees, fellows, participants, and scholars who are supported by specific NIH training, career development, research education, and dissertation research grants to complete Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) training. This mandate is aimed at fostering a culture of ethical and responsible research across the biomedical and behavioral sciences.

RECR training under NIH guidelines includes topics such as research misconduct, data management, authorship, peer review, and the ethical use of human and animal subjects. The training must involve formal instruction through face-to-face interactions, discussions, and mentoring, and should be integrated into the overall research experience.

Grantees must ensure that RECR training is provided at least once during each career stage and more than once in multi-year programs. Compliance with these requirements is critical to maintaining NIH funding and advancing responsible research practices.

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National Science Foundation (NSF) Requirements

The National Science Foundation requires that all undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers supported by NSF funding complete Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research training. This requirement ensures that researchers are prepared to uphold the highest standards of ethical research across various fields of study.

NSF’s RECR training covers essential topics such as research misconduct, data management, authorship, peer review, and ethical considerations for human and animal subjects. Institutions receiving NSF funding are responsible for developing and implementing the RECR training plan and must certify that the training has been completed.

Compliance with NSF’s RECR requirements not only fulfills funding obligations but also helps cultivate an environment of integrity and responsibility within the research community.

As of July 31, 2023, NSF expanded their RECR training requirement to include faculty and other senior personnel

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National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) Requirements

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA NIFA) requires all program directors, faculty, students, postdoctoral researchers, and staff who are supported by NIFA-funded projects to complete RECR training. This training ensures adherence to ethical standards in research areas such as agriculture, food, and environmental sciences.

RCR training under NIFA guidelines includes key topics such as research integrity, data sharing, authorship, conflicts of interest, and the ethical treatment of human and animal subjects. Institutions receiving NIFA funds are responsible for implementing an RECR training plan and ensuring that all participants complete the training.

Meeting these RECR requirements is essential for maintaining compliance with USDA NIFA funding and fostering responsible research practices in the agricultural and food sciences.

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