Research Policies and Training Resources

Montclair State University subscribes to the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) for access to web-based courses in support of research ethics, compliance, security, and safety training. Instructions for new CITI users are available here. Note that some trainings are federally mandated and completion is required before a proposal is submitted, or must be completed before the University will set up a new award. The Office of Sponsored Programs and the Office of Research Compliance and Regulatory Programs will notify researchers of these requirements.

PI Eligibility Policy

Financial Conflict of Interest Policy

The Financial Conflict of Interest Policy establishes requirements for identifying, disclosing, and managing financial interests that could create the appearance of bias in the design, conduct, or reporting of federally funded research.

Foreign Travel Regulations

All University-related travel or collaboration outside of the United States must be approved by the Provost at least two weeks in advance of travel, regardless of the funding source. Travelers must complete the CITI training module titled “US Export Compliance” and provide the completion certificate with their travel request.

Proposal Submission Deadline Policy

To ensure the highest quality review and timely submission of sponsored project proposals, the Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) requires advance notice of upcoming submissions and adherence to internal submission deadlines before sponsor due dates. Following these deadlines allows OSP to conduct a thorough administrative and compliance review while providing investigators with the best possible support.

Reporting Foreign Relationships and Other Support

Researchers receiving federal funding are required to disclose certain foreign relationships, activities, and sources of support to comply with sponsor requirements and promote transparency in research. Agencies such as NSF and NIH require the completion of disclosure forms in new and renewal applications and in progress reports.

Research Compliance Training

All personnel conducting IRB, IACUC, or IBC-approved research are required to complete specified training modules to ensure the protection of research subjects and protect the health and safety of researchers.  Please visit the training sites for the Human Research Protection Program, Institutional Animal Care and Use Program, and Institutional Biosafety Program for more information.

Research Security Training

Federal agencies increasingly require research security training for investigators and other key personnel on federally funded projects. The training helps researchers understand and comply with requirements related to foreign influence, research integrity, cybersecurity, and the protection of sensitive research information.

Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research Training

Responsible and Ethical Conduct of Research (RECR) education prepares researchers to conduct scholarship with integrity, accountability, and professionalism. Training covers core topics such as research misconduct, data management, authorship and publication practices, peer review, mentorship, collaborative research, conflicts of interest, and the ethical treatment of research subjects.