Which of the following most accurately describes U.S. federal policy related to RCR instruction?

Which of the following most accurately describes U.S. federal policy related to RCR instruction?

a) RCR instruction is mandatory for all federal employees

b) There is no federal policy regarding RCR instruction

c) RCR instruction is recommended but not required

d) Federal policy mandates RCR instruction for research grant recipients

Answer: d) Federal policy mandates RCR instruction for research grant recipients

In the United States, federal policy mandates RCR training for specific subgroups of researchers who receive federal grant monies. This mandate was put in place to guide researchers on the right practices to follow to uphold the sanctity of research. Among the NIH and NSF guidelines, there are some differences and requirements concerning RCR training. For example, NIH has guidelines that state that any trainee, fellow, participant, and scholar who receives support from any NIH training, career development award, research education grant or dissertation research grant must be trained in RCR. Also, similarly to NIH, NSF requires that institutions ensure the recipients of NSF funding undergo satisfactory RCR training if they are undergraduates, graduate students, or postdoctoral researchers. That is why this policy is designed to make sure that people who conduct research are aware of the ethical principles and parameters of professional behaviour required in this field.