Training Requirements:
Federal Regulations require institutions to insure that individuals caring for or using animals for research or educational purposes are qualified to do so and are properly trained. All investigators - principal investigators, co-principal investigators, as well as student researchers and research staff involved in the study and who will have contact with animals or raw data, must be trained in the protection of animal subjects in research before a project can be approved by the IACUC.
Training will be provided through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) at https://www.citiprogram.org;Training received through other programs will not be accepted in place of the CITI training. The modules investigators are required to complete have been determined by the campus and identified on the CITI website.
Researchers who are applying for funding through the National Science Foundation (NSF) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are required to complete a separate set of additional modules on the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR). For more information see SUNY Potsdam's Policy on the Responsible Conduct of Research.
Renewal Requirements:
Investigators who have complete the CITI training for Animals Subjects Researchers will be required to renew their certification every three years by completing refresher modules, which have been determined and identified on the CITI website.
Failure to complete scheduled training updates or to train research staff my result in suspension or termination of IACUC approval of a research project.
Documentation of training:
Upon completion of the required modules, researchers are able to print a certificate for their records confirming they have passed the course. You will find a link on the first page of the Learner's Menu.
Completion and renewal records will also be maintained by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
To access the training modules go to:
http://www.citiprogram.org
You must register and answer questions regarding your research. In order to receive credit for completing the course requirements of SUNY Potsdam you must make sure that you choose SUNY - College at Potsdam from the drop down list of choices for institutions when registering.
You will find that additional modules are available but not required. The site also contains the modules required for human subjects research.
For more information:
If you have any questions regarding the CITI site please contact Kate Caster, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, ext 2131. or at casterke@potsdam.edu.