To ensure compliance with federal regulations and protect the integrity of U.S. research, federal funding agencies have implemented new research security training requirements for those working on federally sponsored projects.
As a result, Ohio State has implemented an annual research security training requirement for all personnel named on federal award proposals or who are funded by federal grants.
Over the past year, different federal sponsors have instituted differing requirements, including who must take the course and when. Sponsors that have not implemented the requirement indicate they intend to do so.
A one-hour, condensed research security training course that meets the requirement for all Federal agencies can be found in BuckeyeLearn.
Requiring the training annually during a focused time each year, simplifies the range of requirements from sponsors, ensures compliance, avoids potential submission delays and minimizes risk to the university’s research.
Those needing to take the training will receive an automated email to complete the course by May 25, 2026. This process will continue each year near the end of Spring semester. If an employee who hasn’t taken the course is assigned to a federally-funded project, they will receive an email to complete the training within 30 days of the assignment.
While the change may require some to retake the course, doing so annually during a set time period, will help ensure that there are no delays in submitting proposals to Federal agencies that require the course prior to proposal submission.