Update to RCR Requirements for NSF – Oct. 2025
The following message was sent via email to all University of Maine employees on October 28, 2025 by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Important Notice 149: Updates to NSF’s Research Security Policies includes a requirement for Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training (referred to by NSF as “Responsible & Ethical Conduct of Research”) to address research security, export compliance, and federal disclosure and reporting requirements. The Office of Research Compliance (ORC) has updated the resource RCR Training Requirements to reflect this regulatory update from NSF with guidance about how NSF supported personnel who complete RCR training after October 10, 2025 can meet NSF’s revised RCR training requirements; a summary is provided below:
- Undergraduate Students – ORC has incorporated these topics into Undergraduate RCR Courses; no additional action beyond completion of RCR training is required.
- Graduate Students – Graduate Students supported by NSF to conduct research must complete supplemental training in Research Security in CITI in addition to appropriate RCR training to fully satisfy NSF requirements.
- Post Doctoral Researchers, Faculty & Staff – Faculty, Post-Doctoral Researchers, and other senior/key personnel will typically meet the definition of ‘Covered Individuals’ and thus will be subject to various federal agency requirements to complete Research Security training annually. Provided they have an active Research Security training certificate at the time of completing RCR training – they will have met NSF’s requirements; all others must complete Research Security training to fully satisfy NSF’s RCR requirements.
For more information about how to access the Research Security course, please visit Research Security Training.
Questions about RCR training requirements can be directed to ORC via email to umric@maine.edu.