Office of Research & Innovation

Research Security Training Requirements and CITI Program Access Instructions

January 22, 2026

Dear Colleagues,

We are writing to provide clarification following our recent announcement regarding the availability of the CITI Research Security Training module. We understand that some questions have arisen about how to access the correct course in CITI, which federal requirements apply, and when the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will begin enforcing research security training.

Updated Access Instructions

To add the required Research Security module to your CITI account:

  1. Log in to the updated CITI Training Portal.
  2. Select View Courses for Drexel.
  3. You will see all the courses you completed for Drexel.
  4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and select “Add a Course.”
  5. Under available course options, select: Research Security.
  6. Then select Research Security Training (Combined Course)
    This is the Condensed Research Security (1 hour) module.
  7. The module will then appear in your course list and can be launched immediately.
  8. Find detailed instructions in the ORI Informational and Training Resource Library.

Training completion in CITI will be automatically recorded for institutional compliance purposes.

Clarification on NIH Requirements

While NSF began requiring research security training for senior/key personnel on proposals submitted on or after October 10, 2025, NIH has announced that its own research security training requirement will take effect for applications submitted on or after May 25, 2026, as outlined in NIH Notice NOT-OD-26-017.

The Office of Research & Innovation recommends that all researchers begin completing the one-hour training now in anticipation of expanding requirements.

Reminders

  • If you previously completed Drexel-approved research security training, you will not need to complete the new module until your next annual renewal deadline.
  • Additional CITI modules (e.g., Undue Foreign Influence, Export Controls) may be required for certain controlled, sensitive, or elevated risk projects.

If you have any questions regarding which requirements apply to your research or how to access the training, please contact researchsecurity@drexel.edu.

Thank you for your attention to these federal compliance requirements and for your ongoing commitment to secure and responsible research practices.

Sincerely,

Office of Research and Innovation
Research Security