Research Integrity and Security Office

The Research Integrity and Security Office supports the university’s commitment to ethical, transparent, and accountable research. We serve as a central resource for faculty, staff, and students navigating the standards, policies, and practices that uphold the integrity of research across our institution. Our team provides oversight, guidance, and education on matters related to the responsible conduct of research. We partner with researchers, administrators, and university leadership to foster a culture of integrity, address concerns when they arise, and help ensure that research at the university meets the highest professional and regulatory standards.

The Office of Research is accountable for developing the institutional Research Security Program in response to evolving federal requirements, including National Security Presidential Memorandum 33 (NSPM-33) and the CHIPS and Science Act. The program focuses on risk-based oversight in areas such as disclosure requirements, foreign influence, controlled technology and compliance with emerging federal requirements.

Scope and Services

Consultation and Advisory Services

Consultation on research administration matters, including grant management, compliance, and best practices
Guidance on Category 1 outside activities and related disclosure requirements
Responses to questions concerning research integrity, ethics, and the responsible conduct of research

Education and Training

Best-practice educational seminars, lectures, and workshops tailored to specific disciplines, schools, departments, or laboratories
Customized training designed to meet the needs of individual research teams and units

Allegations and Investigations

Receipt and investigation of allegations of research misconduct in accordance with university policy and federal regulations
Receipt and review of concerns related to violations of grant terms and conditions or other research administration challenges

Policy Development

Development and stewardship of university-wide policies governing the conduct of research
Oversight of the Research Data Policy and related guidance

Research Security Training

This training requirement applies to Principal Investigators (PIs), co-PIs, and other senior/key personnel — anyone who contributes in a substantive, meaningful way to the scientific development or execution of a federally funded research project and is named as such on a proposal, award, or Other Support/biographical documentation. Individuals in this category must complete Research Security Training compliant with the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act and NSPM-33 within the past 12 months of proposal or application submission.

Timing varies by sponsor:

NSF requires senior/key personnel to certify completed training within 12 months prior to proposal submission (effective December 2, 2025), certified by both the individual and the institution’s Authorized Organizational Representative.
DOE requires covered individuals to complete training within 12 months prior to the application, certified via the Current and Pending Support disclosure.
NIH requires each covered individual (senior/key personnel) listed on an NIH grant application to certify completion of training within 12 months of the date of application submission, via the Biographical Sketch in SciENcv. This requirement applies to applications submitted for due dates on or after May 25, 2026.
Check your specific funding opportunity or award terms, as some sponsors may name additional covered individuals or set their own deadlines.

UC Davis uses CITI to fulfill this requirement.

You can find instructions on how to log into CITI here.
You can find instructions on how to register for Research Security Training in CITI here.

Research Security Training Status — Check whether a PI or researcher has completed their Research Security Training, including completion and expiration dates. View the RST tracking list.

Contact Information

Staff

Denise Ehlen
Research Integrity Officer Executive Associate Vice Chancellor for Research Administration, Central Services, and Technology Transfer
The Research Integrity Officer leads the office and serves as the university’s senior official responsible for research integrity and research security matters, including oversight of allegations of research misconduct and the development of related policies.

[email protected]

530-752-7309

Fernando Alvarez
Deputy Research Integrity Officer Associate Director of Research
The Deputy Research Integrity Officer supports the Research Integrity Officer in carrying out the office’s responsibilities, including consultation services, educational programming, investigations, and policy development.