Education Requirements for PI Eligibility

To be eligible to serve as a PI, the University of Minnesota responsible conduct of research (RCR) curriculum must be completed. It is recommended that new faculty and researchers complete the following within their first 12 months at the University:

• Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) core (RCR Parts 1 & 2); (details available: http://research.umn.edu/reo/education/core.html#.UEh_YaMmySo )

After the RCR core requirement is completed, RCR continuing education is required; (details available: http://research.umn.edu/reo/education/continuing.html#.UEkRRqBAVek ):

• Information Update – annual update of policy and procedure changes; begins one year after completion of RCR core requirement
• Awareness/Discussion – once every three year participation in interactive learning activity about some aspect of ethical/responsible conduct of research; begins three years after completion of RCR core requirement

Completion of research education requirements is tracked electronically. When a proposal for funding is submitted or an award is received, completion records are verified to ensure the PI is up to date for RCR requirements. An email reminder is sent if the PI is not up to date on necessary requirements. Submission of the proposal is not delayed, but set up of the award account is delayed if the requirement is not completed or if an approved time extension is not in place. (See Administrative Procedure: Requesting a Time Extension for RCR Completion.)

Depending on the nature of the research/investigation, additional training in one or more of the following is required:

• Human subjects protection (details available: http://www.research.umn.edu/first/HumanSubjects.htm )
• Environmental health and safety (details available: http://www.dehs.umn.edu/ )
• Protecting animal subjects (details available: http://www.research.umn.edu/iacuc/index.cfm )
• HIPAA (details available: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/privacy/home.html )
• Clinical research methodologies (details available: http://ctsieducation.umn.edu/clresmethod/ )