Research Security Training
In a significant move to protect U.S. government-funded research from foreign interference and exploitation, the National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33) established comprehensive research security requirements for institutions. Rutgers University aligns with these federal standards by providing training that reviews core values and practices supporting research security and raises awareness of threats such as undue foreign influence. Training resources are available in Research Security, Export Control, Cybersecurity, and International Travel.
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All covered individuals must complete the research security training within the specified timeframe outlined by each sponsoring agency. Check each section below for important information about the Rutgers CITI license and information for each sponsor.
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- For CITI users, please follow these steps to add the course:
- Visit the CITI Program website.
- Navigate to "Add a Course" and select the "Research Security- Combined" training.
- For non-CITI users:
- Create a new account affiliated with Rutgers University.
- For CITI users, please follow these steps to add the course:
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Research Security Training Requirement - Effective Date: 5/1/2025
- Covered Individual
- A covered individual is an individual who “contributes in a substantive, meaningful way to the development or execution of the scope of work of a project funded by DOE or proposed for funding by DOE”.
- Covered individuals from recipients or subrecipients who are added to an existing DOE award must complete the training within 30 calendar days of joining the project.
- Covered Individual
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Important Notice No. 149: Updates to NSF Research Security Policies
- Research Security Assessment and Required Recipient Documentation – Effective December 2, 2025
- NSF requires research security training certifications from proposers and individuals identified as senior/key personnel by the proposer.
- NSF requires training that addresses cybersecurity, international collaboration, foreign interference, and rules for proper use of funds, disclosure, conflict of commitment, and conflict of interest.
- Research Security Assessment and Required Recipient Documentation – Effective December 2, 2025
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USDA General Terms & Conditions – Effective 12/31/2025
America First Memorandum for USDA Arrangements and Research Security | Home
- Requirements:
- Research Security Training for Covered Individuals: A covered individual is anyone who contributes in a substantive, meaningful way to the development or execution of the scope of work of a project proposed for funding.
- As a term and condition of entering into an arrangement with USDA related to research and development (R&D) or science and technology (S&T), applicants must certify that research security training has been completed by covered individuals not more than one year prior to the date of application and must recertify annually for the duration of the award.
- Requirements:
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NOT-OD-26-017 - Research Security Training Requirements for NIH | Effective Date: 5/26/2026
This notice notifies the extramural community of the NIH implementation of the Research Security Training (RST) requirements outlined in the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-167).
In accordance with Section 10634 of Act, each covered individual (for NIH this is defined as senior/key personnel) listed on an NIH grant application must certify that they have completed RST within 12 months of the date of application submission. NIH does not collect Current and Pending (Other) Support at the time of application based on our Just-in-Time policy. Therefore, NIH will collect the individual certification at the time of the application submission, through the Biographical Sketch in SciENcv.
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GIC 26-02 - Research Security Training Requirements for NASA | Effective Date: 8/5/2026
Inform NASA grant and cooperative agreement applicants and recipients of revisions to the NASA Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual (GCAM) that institute new research security training and certification requirements for covered individuals and entities.
CITI Training
CITI Research Security Training, 1-hour (1 module)
Note: The CITI web-based platform offers several training options under Research Security. Choose the 1-hour training module. A 4-hour (4 modules) extended version is also available.
Export Control Training
Export Compliance [Stage 1] Course (CITI Web-based Export Training Course)
Note: Complete introductory modules and any applicable optional modules which relate to your activities. For more information, contact the Research Regulatory Affairs team.
Responsible Conduct in Research (RCR)
The Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) is a leading web-based training provider of research education content provided to the Rutgers community. To learn more, visit the Office for Research CITI information and training page.
Cybersecurity Training
The KnowBe4 modules are utilized for required and refresher cybersecurity training covering social engineering, insider threats, and reporting data breaches. The KnowBe4 modules (provided by OIT) are available to all Rutgers faculty and staff. Learn more about the Cybersecurity awareness training for faculty and staff.
Rutgers Research Security Outreach
The Research Regulatory Affairs team is available to conduct in-person and virtual training, or answer questions on an as-needed basis, for individuals or research.
Rutgers University Ethics and Compliance (UEC)
Federal Risk Matrix Overview
The Risk Matrix Reference Guide is a tool provided by the NSF SECURE Center.
"A reference for research security professionals who perform pre-audits on proposals, faculty hiring screening or related duties that require application of federal risk matrices. The key advantage is the comparison of requirements across all mandating agencies to quickly navigate interpretations and use of the matrices to a case."
About Research Security Training
In a significant move to protect U.S. government-funded research from foreign interference and exploitation, the National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33) established comprehensive research security requirements for institutions. Rutgers University aligns with these federal standards by providing training that reviews core values and practices supporting research security and raises awareness of threats such as undue foreign influence. Training resources are available in Research Security, Export Control, Cybersecurity, and International Travel.