Education Program
Mission Statement
The mission of the Research Integrity & Compliance Education Program is to provide educational and outreach opportunities to the USF Research community, including USF & USF Health researchers, our affiliates, and the Tampa Bay area public, in order to advance knowledge on the safe, ethical and responsible conduct of research, thereby supporting the university's commitment to innovation in the arts and sciences.
Calendar of Events
Certificates of Completions
Responsible Conduct of Research
Effective January 4, 2010 the National Science Foundation (NSF) requires that all undergraduate and graduate students, as well as post-doctoral research fellows, who are submitting new proposals for NSF funding receive training in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR). This requirement was also adopted and expanded to include scholars by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), effective January 25, 2010. The Division of Research Integrity & Compliance has made available online and instructor-led courses in the Responsible Conduct of Research.
- Frequently Asked Questions - Institutional Requirements for Training on RCR
- NIH Update on the Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research
- NSF - RCR Frequently Asked Questions
- The Lab: Avoiding Research Misconduct - An interactive movie on research misconduct, created by the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Research Integrity.
CITI Program
The Division of Research Integrity & Compliance, in conjunction with the CITI Program, has made available online courses in Human Subject Protections, Responsible Conduct of Research, Laboratory Animal Welfare and Good Clinical Practice.
For USF Training requirements a USF EmplID or UID must be provided on the registration page for certification of USF training requirements. Module completion results will NOT be recorded in GEMS if the Employee Number field is left blank.
- CITI Program
- Instructions for CITI Program Registration Process
- CITI Registration Instructions for RCR
- CITI Courses Currently Offered by DRIC
Human Subject Protection Education
Education in human subject protections is required for all faculty, staff and students directly involved in the conduct of clinical or social and behavioral research. This includes individuals who collect or enter data, individuals who conduct study procedures (including informed consent) or interventions with human subjects, and individuals who use or have access to private information that can be linked to research subjects. This policy applies to all research involving the use of human participants, regardless of funding or scholarship. The policy also applies to both currently active and future research submitted to the USF IRB. All study team members must have current training in order to receive approval from the USF IRB.
Community Outreach
The USF IRB is committed to the continuing education of not only university researchers, but also to the Tampa Bay area community. As a part of this commitment, DRIC and/or IRB representatives are available to attend groups and events within the community to provide information regarding participation in research. Our goal is to inform the community about the protections afforded to research participants, and to explain the ways in which individuals can choose to become involved in research-related activities.
- Request a Speaker Form
- Research Participant Resources from Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP)
HIPAA Education
HIPAA education is mandatory for USF Health faculty, staff, students, residents and fellows who are in the USF Covered Health Care Component. For those individuals who are not a part of USF Health, the Division of Research Integrity & Compliance recommends completion of the DRIC Web-based course, or the optional module, "HIPAA and Human Subjects Research" provided via the CITI Program. This training does NOT meet the USF IRB requirements for continuing education on human subject protections.
Conflicts of Interest (COI)
The Conflicts of Interest in Research Program (COI Program at DRIC) ensures the integrity of research during all phases of research (design- conduct- reporting) and preserves the public trust of the Institution while recognizing the need for entrepreneurship within the research community. The DRIC has implemented an electronic process to ensure that any secondary financial interest of a researcher who conducts human subjects research (or otherwise) has been reviewed by the USF COI Committee, and management controls have been placed prior to issuance of the IRB's study approval. Periodic training on policies and procedures related to conflicts of interest are provided by the Division of Research Integrity & Compliance, and are covered in many of the instructor-led sessions on the Responsible Conduct of Research.
IACUC Education
The USF IACUC requires that all personnel must have adequate knowledge and experience to perform their duties of animal care, use, and treatment. Personnel must be sufficiently familiar with the AWA, PHS Policy, Guide, and the IACUC Principles and Procedures, so that their care, treatment and use of animals will be in accordance with the IACUC Principles and Procedures. Furthermore, personnel involved in live vertebrate animal use, treatment, or care must be certified by the IACUC as qualified to perform their duties, and may be required to demonstrate experience by submitting a copy of the curriculum vitae to Comparative Medicine. The IACUC collaborates with the Division of Comparative Medicine to provide personnel training resources to university personnel working with animals.
Biosafety Education
Training in proper microbiological techniques is required for anyone working with recombinant DNA, infectious agents, select agents, and biological toxins, or who works in a laboratory where these materials are used/stored. The assurance of proper training is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI) or laboratory supervisor of the facility in which the hazard is used. We recommend that the PI/Lab Supervisor supplement the training courses provided by the Division of Research Integrity & Compliance by conducting practical demonstrations and assessments of competence in the laboratory. The DRIC currently offers three types of Biosafety training requirements, including a core course, annual continuing education, and courses on special topics.
Radiation & Laser Safety
The USF radioisotope safety training courses are conducted under the Radiation Safety Office and Sr. Health Physicist(s). Radioisotope safety training courses are required for all Principal Investigators, Research Associates and/or Radioisotope Workers who work with radioactive materials and who are new to USF. Depending upon personnel classification, periodic refresher training is also required.
Individuals who work with or in close proximity to Class 2 or 3 lasers should complete online laser safety training provided by the USF Laser Safety Office. Those individuals who work with or in close proximity to Class 3B or 4 lasers are required to complete the online laser safety training, and must receive additional training from the Principal Investigator. This additional training must be documented and must include operating and emergency procedures for laser(s) in use, relations of specular and diffuse reflections, maximum personal exposure levels for eye and skin, and laser hazard evaluations and range equations.
Diving Safety
The Diving Safety office oversees all Scientific Diving that is to occur throughout any discipline at USF. In addition, the office is also responsible for the oversight of diving that occurs through the Florida Institute of Oceanography (FIO) whether at the FIO lab or onboard any of the USF or FIO owned research vessels. Obtaining clearance for diving projects can be a timely process. Sufficient time for preparations should be considered.
E-System Documents
The Division of Research Integrity & Compliance now has an electronic system for submitting applications and related documents to the USF IRB and for submitting conflicts of interest in research. Training materials, including presentations and manuals, are available to assist researchers with using these electronic systems.
New Researcher Orientation Packet
» USF EthicsPoint Hotline
USF is dedicated to providing a safe, secure, and ethical workplace. This hotline provides an easy, anonymous way to discreetly and confidentially report activities that may involve improper conduct or violations of USF policies.
