Updated September 30, 2025: NIH has delayed the implementation of its research security training requirement. NIH senior/key personnel no longer need to complete research security training by October 1st. Previously announced deadlines still apply for DOE and NSF.
New research security training requirements will take effect this fall for federally funded “covered individuals.” MIT will expect all covered individuals engaged in federally funded research to complete the training by December 31, 2025. We ask that you pay special attention to the new requirements for proposals and awards for NSF and DOE (for now – other agencies likely to follow), as outlined in Ian Waitz’s communication to faculty and researchers on September 10, 2025.
Impact on DOE and NSF Proposals, Awards, and Modifications
There are two changes to the proposal and award processes to be aware of:
- Effective October 1, 2025, for DOE, and October 10, 2025, for NSF, proposals will not be allowed to route to RAS for review until the research security training has been completed by the covered individuals. In effect, the training must be completed prior to RAS’ 5-day proposal deadline.
- New awards and modifications from DOE and NSF will also be put on hold until training has been completed by the covered individuals.
Reviewing Training for Affected Proposals and Awards
Research Systems & Support (RSS) is working on enhancements in the KC system to capture these requirements for NSF and DOE proposals and awards. We anticipate these system changes will be in place in early October, but ask for your help to identify proposals/awards that may be affected.
DLCI aggregators can review whether key personnel have completed training within their KC proposal under Key Personnel, using the Person Training Details tab. The completed training will be labeled NSPM-33 Research Security Training. If training is incomplete, contact key personnel to complete training as soon as possible.
If someone believes they have completed this training that is not reflected in Person Training Details, please contact the RA Support team at ra-help@mit.edu. RA Support will review the training record to confirm that all four modules for the training have been completed, and will notify your RAS contract administrator.
Questions and Support
The RA Support team is also available to meet 1:1 via Zoom and encourages anyone to stop by the weekly Community Drop Ins held every Monday from 1pm to 2pm (except holidays) to review and discuss any questions you may have.