Dear faculty colleagues,
We wrote to you in April and again in September with details regarding research security training requirements for personnel supported by or proposing to the National Institutions of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
*Reminder*
This is a reminder that beginning on October 1, 2025:
- All personnel named on a proposal to the NIH or the USDA must complete the CITI Research Security training course prior to proposal submission. Completion takes about one hour. Please visit this website for more information and instructions for completing the CITI Research Security training.
- Personnel on existing NIH or USDA awards must complete training prior to submitting a Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR). PIs are responsible for completing a certification with the RPPR that confirms all personnel have completed the required training.
- Any new personnel added during the course of an existing NIH or USDA award must complete training prior to charging salary to an NIH or USDA award.
Corresponding requirements became effective for the DOE in October 2024 and for the NSF in May 2025. Research security training must be renewed annually. You will receive automated reminder notices from CITI, and additional reminders from the Office of Research Integrity, when your renewal due date is approaching.
*New*
Additionally, in order to comply with the NIH’s policy requirement to train senior/key personnel on other support disclosure requirements, ORSP will require all personnel named on an NIH proposal to review Lehigh’s policy on NIH Other Support Training and to complete a Docusign form to document their review. CITI is in the process of integrating this policy review requirement into the Research Security training, however until completed, this workaround is necessary.
Thank you for your cooperation in complying with these important federal sponsor requirements. Please contact Naomi Coll or Cynthia Kane with any questions or concerns.
Best regards,
Anand Jagota, Vice Provost for Research
Dominic Packer, Senior Advisor to the Vice Provost for Research
Cynthia Kane, Associate Vice Provost for Research and Sponsored Programs
Naomi Coll, Director of Research Policy and Compliance