Dear Colleagues,
The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 requires that PIs and key personnel complete annual research security training on an implementation schedule to be driven by federal funding agencies. The Department of Energy (DoE) and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) are the first to implement this training requirement for new proposal submissions effective May 1, 2025, with the other federal funding agencies (NSF, NIH, etc.) anticipated to release implementation dates in 2025 or early 2026.
Requirement: To meet this research security training requirement, UConn must require all key personnel on DoE awards to complete research security training by May 1, 2025. The DoE will require UConn certification that all key personnel listed on the proposal have completed research security training within one year prior to proposal submission. Any new key personnel added to the project must also certify that they have completed the training within 30 calendar days of joining the project. UConn’s Sponsor Program Services (SPS) cannot submit a proposal to the DoE on or after May 1, 2025 unless all key personnel have received training.
Please note that a particular RFP may require all participants on a project to certify completion of research security training. Please review your RFP for any such requirements or ask SPS.
All other researchers on federal grants, especially those working on Department of Defense projects, are encouraged to complete this research security training now in anticipation of the upcoming implementation dates to be released by other federal funding agencies. The training is currently open to all UConn and UConn Health employees and will facilitate your readiness for this requirement.
Training: Research security training is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools needed to understand behaviors that have led to improper or illegal transfers of U.S. government-supported research and development (R&D) based on incidents reported by federal research agencies. The training will also highlight the critical role of U.S. researchers in global scientific discoveries and the importance of attracting international talent to U.S. research institutions.
UConn is using the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program’s “Research Security Training (Combined)” module to meet this training requirement. This CITI training module has been developed specifically for IHE researchers as a condensed version of NSF’s four-hour Research Security Training modules. Please allow yourself 1.5 hours to complete the CITI training. You can complete the training in stages and save your progress.
To complete the training, go to Research Security Training | Office of the Vice President for Research for step-by-step instructions on accessing the training through the CITI Program for both UConn Storrs/Regional and UConn Health researchers.
Your Completion Record will automatically be shared with OVPR SPS and will also be accessible to you and SPS at any time from the CITI Program.
Thank you for your attention to this important new requirement. Your cooperation is essential in meeting these new research security requirements and maintaining the highest standards of compliance at UConn.
For more information, contact: OVRP Research Security at researchsecurity@uconn.edu