Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) training is a requirement for Human Subjects research conducted at Syracuse University. Please see helpful information below.
To begin Training: CITI Website: Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative Web-based Training Program
Syracuse University has chosen the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Program through the Biomedical Research Alliance of New York (BRANY) for all online Research Based Training. The CITI Program is the leading global provider of online research ethics education content and opportunities.
Effective January 4, 2010, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has mandated that all undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral researchers supported by NSF to conduct research must receive appropriate training and oversight in the ethical and responsible conduct of research (RCR).
First time users will need to register. To do this go to CITI website, click on “Register Here” and follow the instructions to complete the registration form. It is important that all information noted with an asterisk be completed and that you affiliate with Syracuse University during the registration process.
If you already have an account with CITI, you can simply enter your Username and Password.
Once you have registered, you are ready to choose your course needs and learner group in order to begin the required training.
The CITI training is offered in Spanish or English at this time.
Because members of the research team may not be fluent in English and/or Spanish, have access to a computer or readily available internet access, the SU IRB will consider - on a study by study basis - approval of alternative human research education training. In such instances, principal investigators will be asked to ensure that these members of their research team receive alternate human research training that includes discussion of: (1) research ethics; (2) the voluntary nature of research participation and the consent process; and (3) standards for maintaining the privacy of the participant and the confidentiality of the data collected. Principal investigators will be asked to describe and/or provide a copy of their alternative human subjects training plan.
Human Research: This option should be selected for all researchers involved in human subjects’ research.
Responsible Conduct of Research: This option should be selected for researchers with sponsored/grant funded research that requires training in the responsible and ethical conduct of research. All undergraduates, graduate students, or post docs who are associated with an NSF-sponsored project must successfully complete selected modules, appropriate to their academic status (undergraduate, graduate or post doc), that is applicable to their disciplinary category.
Individuals who have never taken the training should choose the option to take the CITI Basic Course:
- "I would like to take the CITI Basic Course."
Those who have already completed the Basic Course and need to update their training should choose the option to take the Refresher Course:
- "I have completed the CITI Basic Course and would like to take the Refresher Course."
Because no refresher course is offered for student researchers (Those who complete Learner Group 4, you may be asked to repeat the Basic Course training when your training expires and you are still involved in human subjects research activities.)
Learner Group 1 – Social/Behavioral Research Course
This course is designed for studies with a social/behavioral focus and is most is most appropriate for Principal Investigators (P.I.’s), Co-P.I., collaborators from other institutions. However, some P.I.’s might request all members of the research team complete this training (including student researchers).
Learner Group 2 – Biomedical Research
This course is designed for studies with a biomedical focus and should be completed by all members of the research team listed in the protocol (including P.I.’s, Co-P.I.’s, collaborators from other institutions, student researchers, etc.)
Learner Group 3 – IRB Member
This course is designed solely for individuals who serve as members of the Institutional Review Board.
Learner Group 4 – Student Researchers
This course is designed for undergraduate/graduate student/staff researchers, unless otherwise indicated by the P.I.
Learner Group 5 – Administrative Staff
This course is designed solely for IRB administrative staff. This course is not intended for College/School administrators, research project coordinators, or those involved in the research in a similar capacity.
Once you have completed the registration process, selected your course, course needs and learner group, the required training course modules will automatically populate on the Main Menu page under “Course.” Simply click directly on the course title (e.g. Social/Behavioral Research Course) to begin your training.
Most can complete the training in approximately four hours.
The training does not need to be completed in one sitting. It can be taken at your convenience. You can log on and off the CITI training website 24 hours a day seven days a week as long as you remember your Username and Password. Your training will pick up where you left off as each module must be completed in succession.
Please note, you will be asked to “Complete the Integrity Assurance Statement” each time you log-on to the CITI system.
If you forget our Username or Password, instructions to retrieve this information are on the home page of the CITI website.
From your Main Menu under “My Learner Tools for Syracuse University” select “Add a course” and follow the prompts.
No, CITI training is not currently required for exempt studies.
Yes, no expedited or full board study will receive final approval without verification that all members of the research team listed in the protocol application have successfully completed the required CITI training.
Once your training is complete, you can print a copy of the training certificate by choosing the ‘print’ option under “Completion Report.”
No. You only need to submit a copy of your CITI training certificate if the training has been completed through an affiliation with an institution other than Syracuse University.
However, you may want to keep a copy in your personal records.
Once you have successfully completed the required CITI training, your training is valid for a period of three years, after which it must be renewed.
CITI training must be renewed every three years. You will receive an email notice from CITI 180 days, then 90 days, then 30 days prior to the expiration date for your course, but you may also log on to the CITI website to see when you are due to take your refresher course. You may complete the Refresher course up to 180 days (that is, six months) prior to the expiration date of your current CITI training.
At that time, the Refresher Course will automatically be populated into your Main Menu page under “Course.” Simply click directly on the course title (e.g. Social/Behavioral Refresher Course) to begin your training.
Researchers who have completed their training through Learner Group 4 may be asked to repeat the Basic Course when their training expires; as there are no refresher courses offered for this learner group.
Contact the IRB Office at orip@syr.edu or 315.443.3013 for general information regarding the training and/or training requirements.
For technical problems please contact CITI through their Help & Support Services located on their home page.