Research Security Training

Research security training helps members of the University research community understand requirements and responsibilities associated with protecting the integrity and security of research.

Federal research funding agencies have implemented research security training requirements for certain individuals participating in federally funded research and development activities. Training requirements may also arise from specific sponsor, award, University, or project requirements.

Who May Be Required to Complete Research Security Training

Research security training may be required for:

• Senior/key personnel identified on applications for federal research and development awards;
• Faculty, staff, students, postdoctoral researchers, or other personnel when required by a sponsor, award, or University requirement;
• Individuals participating in research activities for which additional research security training has been identified as necessary; and
• Other individuals notified by the Office of Research Integrity or Sponsored Programs that training is required.

Specific requirements and completion timelines may vary by federal agency, sponsor, award, or activity.

Research Security Training at UL Lafayette

UL Lafayette provides research security training through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program.

Research security training addresses topics such as:

• Research security risks and responsibilities;
• Disclosure and reporting requirements;
• Conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment;
• International research collaboration;
• Foreign interference and inappropriate foreign influence;
• Cybersecurity and protection of research information;
• Proper stewardship and use of research funds; and
• Related federal research security requirements.

Individuals should complete the training assigned or identified for their role, proposal, award, or research activity and follow any applicable instructions regarding documentation or certification of completion.

NSF Research Security Training Requirements

NSF requires individuals identified as senior/key personnel on research and development proposals to certify that they have completed qualifying research security training within the 12 months prior to proposal submission. The University must also certify that the applicable senior/key personnel have completed the required training.

NSF recommends renewing research security training annually. Researchers who regularly submit NSF proposals should therefore maintain current research security training to ensure that the training falls within the required 12-month period at the time of proposal submission.

Federal Research Security Training

Federal research funding agencies may establish specific research security training and certification requirements for individuals participating in research and development awards.

The NSF-funded SECURE Center provides research security training developed for the U.S. research community, including a consolidated research security training module recognized by multiple federal research funding agencies.

Agency-specific requirements should be reviewed when preparing a proposal or participating in a federally funded research project.

Additional Training Requirements

Research security training does not replace other training that may be required for a particular research activity.

Depending on the project or activity, additional training may include:

• Export control training;
• Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research or Responsible Conduct of Research training;
• Cybersecurity or data security training;
• International travel training;
• Sponsor-specific training; or
• Other project-specific compliance training.

Assistance

For questions regarding research security training requirements or assistance determining which training applies, contact:

Office of Research Integrity
Research Security & Export Controls
researchsecurity@louisiana.edu
337-482-1533