Research Security

The integrity of the U.S. research enterprise has become a focal point of national policy, driven by concerns over undue foreign influence and the unethical exploitation of intellectual property. This heightened focus has led to a series of legislative and policy changes aimed at safeguarding federally funded research. A key driver of this shift is the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (Public Law No. 117-167), which serves as the statutory authority for new and more rigorous requirements for researchers and the institutions that host them. The National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as major funding agencies, have been at the forefront of implementing these new mandates.

Research Security Training (RST)

All principal investigators on proposals to the National Science Foundation must complete Research Security Training (RST) within 12-months of submission. In order to comply with the new requirement, the College has subscribed to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative’s (CITI) new Research Security Training Series. NIH will begin requiring RST upon proposal submission beginning January 25, 2026.

Impact on Researchers at Lewis & Clark

• Faculty who plan to submit a proposal to NSF after October 10, 2025 must complete the Research Security Training module in CITI before the College will submit your proposal.
• The training must be completed 1-week prior to the submission deadline in order for the SPARC Office to route your proposal for institutional approvals.
• NSF recommends annual renewal of the training, however, NIH will require annual renewal. SPARC will inform you if you need to renew your training.

CITI’s Research Security Training Module

• The Research Security Training (Combined) course consists of one module and takes approximately one hour to complete.
• The module condenses the four federal modules created by NSF and satisfies the training requirement.
• The RST module provides an introduction to research security, explains the importance of disclosures, discusses how to mitigate risks, and outlines best practices for safely engaging in international collaborations.
• If you have any questions about using CITI, please contact Nicole Brockway, Research Compliance and Grants Administrator in the SPARC Office, who can help you navigate CITI and assign courses to your profile.

Please contact the SPARC Office if you have any questions about Research Security.

Updated October 7, 2025.