CWRU Requirements

Case Western Reserve University does not currently require completion of a formal institutionally-defined RCR program, but rather encourages schools, departments, researchers and students to utilize the resources listed on this website to facilitate the creation and implementation of meaningful discipline-specific education and training programs that promote ethical conduct in research.

CWRU encourages all individuals engaged in research be trained in best practices for Responsible Conduct of Research.

To most effectively develop a culture of research integrity throughout the University, responsible conduct of research initiatives are being developed to encompass all those involved in the research endeavor.

Faculty, research staff, graduate students, post-doctoral scholars and fellows, as well as undergraduate students engaged in direct research should receive Responsible Conduct of Research training.

CREC Program and Research Education Credit Program

Case Western Reserve University's Continuing Research Education Credit (CREC) Program provides investigators documented training in the protection of human subjects in research. All researchers should visit the Research Administration website to become familiar with the (CREC) Program.

Addressing RCR in Grant Applications

In the 1990s, the federal government, through the Office of Research Integrity (ORI), proposed mandating documented RCR training for all research involving federal funding. Academic institutions throughout the country were greatly concerned about the resources that would be needed to implement such a large program, as well as ensuring applicability for diverse scientific disciplines. After much debate, NIH was the only agency to mandate training for research involving human participants resulting in the creation of the local Continuing Research Education Credit (CREC) Program. (Please Note: CREC Certification by itself is not documentation of RCR training)

Today, many granting agencies require that a plan for RCR education and training be included in funding applications, this has been seen most frequently for training grants and career awards. A lack of an appropriate plan to address RCR instruction may result in denial of funding. The following guidance is provided to foster RCR programs and facilitate plan development for grant opportunities:

• STEP 1: Identify groups covered by grant application (i.e. senior/junior faculty members, post-docs, graduate students, research assistants, etc.). For example if a grant funds both faculty members and graduate students (i.e. training grant) two separate programs (tracks) may be needed.
• STEP 2: Clarify whether all nine areas are applicable to research being proposed, i.e. research not involving humans and animals could justify inclusion of only 7 of nine areas. Please note that general training of students should include all nine areas even if students would not normally be involved in the activity during their time as a student (i.e. peer review, mentoring…).
• STEP 3: Identify types of training to be included for each RCR area such as:
  • Formal Classes
  • Seminars/Conferences
  • Online Tutorials
  • Formal/Informal Small Group Discussions
  • See the "Resources" Section for available online publications and tools. Visit the "Workshop Series" page to see a list of local seminars that are currently available.
• STEP 4: Write a plan that states who will be trained, during what time period, content of such training and the mechanisms utilized (i.e., faculty member attendance at seminar, faculty moderating small group discussions for trainees, student completing CITI RCR training, then discussing case studies in small departmental groups).

Please feel free to contact Tracy Wilson-Holden in the Office of Research Administration at 216.368.6131 with any questions.