Research Security Training
The Research Security Office (RSO) offers mandatory and optional training through various modes including in-person, live virtual, and web-based asynchronous options. Mandatory training is required for projects involving access to sensitive information or when required by federal funding agencies.
NOTE: All research funding agencies are in the process of implementing or have implemented mandatory training requirements for some proposals and projects. NIH and NSF have formally announced a blanket training for key personnel to complete before submitting proposals on or after October 1st (NIH) or October 10th (NSF) .
IF you plan to submit a proposal as a Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator to the NIH or NSF on or after October 1st, please complete the online training by September 26th (for NIH) or October 1st (NSF) to allow time for verification before we can certify the proposal. Delays in completing this training will result in delayed or missed proposal submissions.
Effective May 1, 2025, the Department of Energy implemented a new requirement for completion of research security training by all Covered Individuals prior to a DOE proposal submission. Completion of the training requirement must be added to the Current and Pending Support disclosure certifications.
We strongly encourage ALL researchers to complete this training as soon as possible (as it is also being rolled out by USDA and some DOD components).
Required Training:
The Chips and Science Act of 2022 included a mandate for US government funding agencies to require research security training for all “covered individuals” participating in federally funded research. This training requirement can be met using web-based or live training.
To meet this requirement, we have opened enrollment for a new Research Security training course in our Electronic Learning Management System (ELMS). This is a one-hour core training module developed by the NSF-funded SECURE Center and is an updated and condensed version of the previously released four one hour-modules. This training provides recipients of federal research funding with information on risks and threats to the global research ecosystem. In addition to this core module, there are 4 supplemental modules with more specific information relevant to researchers: 1) An introductory module with UMD specific information on research security supporting units; 2) a module on outside activity disclosure requirements; 3) a module on international travel; and 4) a module on export control. Completion of all five modules will satisfy the research security training requirement.
Access the Research Security Training via the link below. Please note, this training is to be completed by UMD users only.
https://go.umd.edu/researchsecuritytraining
The RSO maintains records of training completion. If you have not completed training as of September 12th, 2025, use the above link to complete the training requirement.
If you completed training prior to September 12th, 2025, but not prior to January 1, 2025, use this form to upload your training records.
If you are participating in a project involving, or require access to, export-controlled information or Controlled Unclassified Information, the training will be implemented as part of the Research Security Plan. The RSO typically identifies these projects in the pre-award process and reaches out to the PI. Please contact the RSO if you are planning a sensitive project or need access to sensitive information.
Direct Training Events
The Research Security Office provides customized training for faculty and staff on all aspects of research security. Please contact the RSO to discuss training needs and schedule a training event.
Other Web-based Training
If you wish to view the original four research security modules released in 2024 by the National Science Foundation, you can access these modules through the below buttons.