NSF Training Modules
Why is research security an important issue?
What is a disclosure policy and how will it be used?
What actions can federally funded research recipients take to manage and mitigate risk?
Is international collaboration encouraged?
CTM 1.2
Federal Research Security Training Requirements
Federal research funding agencies continue to implement research security requirements in accordance with the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (CHIPS Act), National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 (NSPM-33), and other federal requirements.
The CHIPS Act includes a research security training (RST) requirement for covered individuals (CI - senior/key personnel) listed on the application for a research and development award (See section 10634). The requirement applies to CI at any institution or organization, regardless of whether they meet the $50M threshold for implementing NSPM-33 research security program requirements, which also require research security training.
SECURE Center Consolidated Training Module
Federal Research Funding Agency Implementation
The Department of Energy (DOE) implemented the CHIPS Act RST requirement effective May 1, 2025. Per a July 10, 2025 National Science Foundation(NSF) Notice, NSF was to implement this requirement effective October 10, 2025. Following a delay due to the government shutdown, the training became effective December 2, 2025 (with a grace period for certification through Dec. 31, 2025). For these agencies, CIs must certify that they have completed research security training within 12 months prior to proposal submission consistent with CHIPS Act language.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will require RST for applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2026 per NOT-OD-26-017. This is in addition to an NIH policy requirement that requires all faculty and researchers identified as Senior/Key Personnel to have taken the RST or other training that highlights requirements to disclose all research activities and affiliations (active and pending) in Other Support, prior to just-in-time and/or Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) submissions. Additional agencies are expected to require the training in the coming months and various federal agencies have already utilized the training as part of sponsored project-specific risk mitigation plans.
Research Security Training Resources – Condensed Training Module
NSF has previously made research security training available on its website. The agency recently indicated that these training modules will not be updated and may eventually be removed. The SECURE Center’s Co-Creation process was used to refine, update and improve existing RST modules to reduce administrative burden and better serve the community. A Condensed Training Module 1.0 (CTM 1.0) released on June 3, 2025, condensed the modules into one shorter module and was designed to meet all of the RST requirements of the CHIPS and Science Act. An updated module, CTM 1.1, was released on September 18, 2025, followed by CTM 1.2 on December 18, 2025. See the section Module Updates for details. As per NSF's Important Notice No. 149, "NSF, NIH, DOE, and DOD [Department of Defense] all recognize completion of the condensed module as compliant with their respective RST requirements." In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has notified the SECURE Center that the agency will also endorse the Center’s CTM.
Consolidated Training Module (CTM)
CTM Training for Individual Users
Individual users taking the CTM training on the website can now download a certificate of completion. The training can be accessed below.
Additional Resources for Individual Users
Additional Information document: This document includes the additional information and links available for access in the module. View Additional Information
Transcript document: This document provides a written transcript of the module. View Transcript
CTM Training and Resources for Institution/Organization Implementation
Files for Download in Institutions / Organizations Learning Management Systems:
The CTM files can be found below for download and use in your organization’s learning management system. The files include editable html-based files that can be modified to supply institution-specific contact information and links to institutional resources in 2, 4, or 6 slides. In accordance with recent NIH guidance, it is advisable to include information and links to your institutions disclosure guidance and requirements. Links to institution’s webpages and contacts can also be included here. A version with no editable files is also available. CTM 1.2 files can be downloaded below.
SCORM Package Downloads & Implementation Instructions
Choose the version that best fits your institution's needs:
This version includes two customizable slides at the end of the module (before the certificate of completion) where you can add your institution's specific information, resources, and contact details. To customize these pages, you'll need to modify the HTML files within the SCORM package before uploading to your LMS.
This version includes four customizable slides at the end of the module.
This version includes six customizable slides at the end of the module.
Customization Video Tutorial
Watch this step-by-step guide to learn how to modify the institution-specific pages in Options 1-3.
This streamlined version contains the core learning module without additional customizable slides, ready for immediate deployment in your LMS.
General LMS Implementation Steps:
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Download your preferred SCORM package (zip file)
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Log into your Learning Management System as an administrator or instructor
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Navigate to your course content area
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Look for options like "Add Content," "Import Package," or "SCORM Upload"
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Upload the zip file (do not extract it first)
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Configure any tracking or completion settings as needed
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Test the module to ensure proper functionality
Technical Requirements
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SCORM 1.2 compatible LMS
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Modern web browser with JavaScript enabled
Need Help? Contact your LMS administrator or IT support team if you encounter any issues during the upload process, as implementation steps may vary by platform.
Additional Resources for Institutions
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Storyline Source File: CTM 1.2 Storyline Source File In response to stakeholder feedback, the SECURE Center has released the updated Storyline source file for the Condensed Training Module. This editable file includes all module components (slides, animations, audio, and interactions) and is now accessible for institutions seeking to make minor customizations before uploading to their learning management system.
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Additional Information document: This document includes the additional information and links available for access in the module. View Additional Information
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Transcript document: This document provides a written transcript of the module. View Transcript
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Web Preview Version: A preview of the training module can now be downloaded here with a printable certificate of completion included. This version is ideal for institutions that don't have access to their own LMS or prefer a standalone solution. Download Web Preview Version
Module Updates
CTM has subsequently updated.
Click here for the changes included in the update to CTM 1.1: Accessibility Improvements: Additional accessibility improvements were made for better compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Level AA standards. Bug Fixes: Fixed potential completion tracking issue on interactive slides by implementing a dual-check system to accommodate slower server/client processing speeds. New Customization Options: Added versions with 4 and 6 customizable university-specific pages in response to stakeholder requests. Web Preview Enhancement: Added a printable certificate feature to the web preview version that allows researchers and others to take the training via the SECURE Center website and obtain a certificate of completion. Other Updates: Minor content edits for clarity and accuracy
Changes included in the update to CTM 1.2 include: In response to user feedback, the SECURE Center has further updated the condensed research security training transcript and module to further improve accessibility. -The transcript now includes content that is not narrated in the module. This includes all knowledge check on-screen text and text from pop-up windows that contain additional information and links. -Links now use content specific text rather than “click here”. These changes allow users utilizing the transcript to have a similar experience as those using the module. -Additional materials links are now also included in the transcript. The training module and audio files have been updated to reflect the content-specific text.