Principal Investigators, Co-Principal Investigators, Senior and Key Personnel who receive federal funding are required to take Research Security training. 

Why This Training is Important

Research Security is critical to protecting federally-funded research activities from misappropriation of research to the detriment of national or economic security, related violations of research integrity, and foreign government interference in research. As part of the proposal submission process, researchers must certify that they have completed the Research Security training requirement.

This training will cover key topics including:

  • Why is Research Security important?
  • Importance of international collaboration
  • Best practices for managing and mitigating risks related to foreign interference
  • Importance of disclosure of outside engagements, conflicts of interest and commitment
  • Foreign travel security
  • Cybersecurity and protection of research data
  • Export control compliance

For more information on research security, please visit ORPA's Research Security main website. 

To verify completion of a Research Security training module:

  1. Login to the Employee Learning Center
  2. Go to “My Learning History”
  3. Click on “Click here for completed eLearning history (recorded courses)”
  4. Sessions are listed alphabetically - you may have several pages of trainings and there is no way to sort by date. 
  • All modules start with “Module”.

Technical Issues

Some users have reported issues with the Modules “freezing” while playing.  

We have identified a workaround that does not require your to restart the module.  Note that these instructions are only applicable to Modules 2 and 3.

  1. In the top right (or left, depending upon the module) of the screen there are three parallel lines that take you to the Menu.
  2. You will see checkmarks next to each "slide" that you have already viewed. If you click on the next unchecked slide, it should take you to the next screen.

We will continue to evaluate solutions to this issue and apologize for the inconvenience.

Research Security Training Logo with Lock

Access Training Module

Confirmation that training has been completed will be performed prior to submission of proposals to federal research agencies.

Sponsor Requirements

Training must be completed through the Employee Learning Center modules. 

Per the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, covered individuals must complete research security training. These individuals are listed on a funding application for a research award, or someone who contributes in a substantive, meaningful way to the scientific development and/or execution of an externally funded research project (example: PI, co-PI, Investigator, Researchers, Senior/Key Personnel)

In addition to some sponsors requiring completion of the training prior to submission of a proposal, some sponsors may require Research Security training as part of a risk mitigation plan for specific research projects.

AGENCIESDEADLINESDETAILS
DOD: Department of DefenseTBD

No DOD-wide timeline has been issued regarding completion of the training for DOD-sponsored project.  However, researchers should carefully read through proposal guidelines to identify training requirements until such time that DOD implements agency-wide requirements. 

DOD has issued the “2025 DoD Component Decision Matrix to Inform Fundamental Research Proposal Mitigation Decisions” to assist DoD component agencies in their efforts to review research proposals for potential conflicts of interest and conflicts of commitment.

DOE: Department of EnergyMay 1, 2025

Must be completed within the 12 months immediately preceding the application submission date. 

  • DOE guidance indicates that all four modules must be completed.
  • Also applies to any subrecipients.
  • All covered personnel must certify that they have completed the training (via Current and Pending Support disclosure certification)
  • New subs added to the project must complete training within 30 calendar days of the individual joining the project.
  • DOE can expand the scope of the project personnel subject to training via the notice of funding opportunity (NOFO).
  • DOE Training Requirements
NASA: National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationTBDCarefully read through the proposal guidelines until official guidance has been released from this agency as per NSPM-33 mandatory training requirements.
NSF: National Science FoundationOctober 1, 2025

Senior/key personnel listed on the application for a research and development award will be required to take the training starting in October 2025. 

  • As per the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, senior/key personnel are required to take training within one year of an R & D application.
  • Senior personnel who later join an existing project will also have one year from the time of joining
  • Implementation of the training requirement aligns with the release of the latest Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)
NIH: National Institutes of HealthOctober 2025The NIH has partnered with NSF, DOE and the DOD to develop the online research security training modules. The NIH requirements are expected to align with the NSF regarding requirements. 

 

 

Federal Resources

Training Frequency

Princeton will follow sponsor guidance regarding the frequency of training. Based on current sponsor guidelines, most sponsors will require annual training.

As additional training resources that meet agency requirements are made available, Princeton will make those resources available to Princeton researchers.