Office of Sponsored Programs - Training
The Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP), in partnership with Research Integrity & Compliance (RIC), is here to support researchers across campus by ensuring that all University of Montana research activities comply with federal, state, and local regulations. Our teams are committed to creating a collaborative and responsive environment that promotes ethical, responsible, and successful research.
CITI Program
Training for PIs, Co-PIs, and other research personnel is provided through the CITI Program, where UM houses modules on:
- PI Training &
- Research Compliance, including:
- Animal Research (IACUC and LAR)
- Biosafety (IBC)
- Export Control
- Human Subjects Research (IRB)
- Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
- Research Security
Instructions for Access
For compliance-related certification requirements, the University relies on CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative). (Note: additional options are available for IRB compliance.)
- Register as a new CITI user
- Create a username and password
- Click on "Add a course or update your Learner Group for University of Montana"
On the next page, you'll find "Select Curriculum" with step-by-step CITI Course Enrollment Procedures. Near the bottom of that page, look for the heading "CITI Course Enrollment Questions."
To select the appropriate Compliance Curriculum, navigate directly to the question/module under the headings:
- Q1 = Laboratory Animal Welfare (IACUC)
- Q2 = Information Privacy and Security (IPS) for pre-professional and professional health care students and clinicians
- Q3 = IACUC Community Member
- Q4 = IRB – Human Subjects Research
- Q5 = Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
- Q6 = Responsible Conduct of Research
- Q7 = Conflicts of Interest
- Q8 = Export Control Regulations
- Q9 = Biosafety/Biosecurity
- Q10 = Laboratory Chemical Safety
- Q11 = Institutional/Signatory Official (HSR)
- Q12 = Radiation Safety
- Q13 = Webinars
- Q14 = Controlled Substances in Research Settings
- Q15 = UM PI Training
- Q16 = Academic Integrity - Student
New PI / Co-PI / DRA Training Requirements
In compliance with:
- Montana Board of Regents Policy 401.C
- Legislative Auditors
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Audit Requirements
UM must ensure that all faculty and staff eligible to serve as a PI complete training every 3 years, covering:
- Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
- Proper handling of Personally Identifiable Information (PII)
Who Needs This Training?
- All faculty and staff eligible to be a PI
- Anyone submitting a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement
- New researchers before proposal submission via Cayuse
Transition Timeline
- All previously trained researchers have until December 31, 2025 to complete the new CITI-based training.
- New researchers must complete both PI and RCR training before the start of their grant period and prior to submitting proposals.
Good to know: CITI will track completions and send automated reminders for recertification to help researchers stay compliant with the three-year requirement.
Already Completed RCR Training?
If you have completed RCR within the past three years:
- You will only need to recertify when that training expires.
If not:
- You must complete both the PI Training and RCR modules through CITI.
Stay Informed
To receive timely updates on training, policies, and proposal guidance, we strongly recommend subscribing to the ORCS and OSP newsletters.