Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

Discover resources for instruction in the responsible conduct of research

All NIH research training programs are required to consider including instruction on the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR). Researchers should understand topics like:

• Conflict of interest
• Responsible authorship
• Policies for handling misconduct, data management, data sharing, as well as properly using human participants and laboratory animals

NIH Resources for Recipient Community

• NOT-OD-10-019 - Update on the Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research
• NOT-OD-22-055 - Updated Guidance: Requirement for Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research
• NIH All About Grants Podcast - Responsible Conduct of Research and Training

HHS Office of Research Integrity (ORI) Resources

• Introduction to RCR 
• RCR Casebook: Stories about Researchers Worth Discussing 
• Short Video Case Studies 
• Integrity in Scientific Research Videos
• "The Lab: Avoiding Research Misconduct" Interactive Case Study 
• "The Research Clinic" Interactive Case Study 
• RCR Infographics 

NIH Intramural Resources (additional reference for extramural institutions)    

• Guidelines for the Conduct of Research In the Intramural Program at NIH (PDF) 
• Guidelines for Scientific Record Keeping in NIH Intramural Labs (PDF) 
• Guide to Training and Mentoring in NIH Intramural Labs (PDF) 
• Processes for Authorship Disputes at NIH Intramural Labs 
• Responsible Conduct of Research Training 

Other Resources

• National Academies - "On Being a Scientist: A Guide to Responsible Conduct in Research",