The University of South Carolina is committed to advancing research excellence while protecting sensitive research data and ensuring compliance with federal regulations and sponsor agency requirements. To support this goal, the Office of Research Security has launched web-based research security training for personnel involved in research activities at the university.

Why it matters

Research security training provides the information and guidance researchers need to understand potential threats and risks to the research ecosystem, protect sensitive research data and intellectual property and ensure compliance with U.S. government mandates, including those outlined in NSPM-33 and the CHIPS and Science Act. These regulations require specific personnel known as "covered individuals" to complete web-based research security training each year.

Who is covered

Research security training is required for individuals contributing in a substantive and meaningful way to the scientific development or execution of federally funded research projects, as defined by federal guidelines. Covered individuals are required to complete all applicable training modules within 30 days of being appointed as a covered individual on a research project, and annually thereafter.

At USC, we consider the personnel who meet one or more of the following criteria to be "covered individuals" who are required to complete annual research security training:

• University personnel, meaning faculty, staff, students, postdoctoral scholars or university affiliate researchers serving as principal investigator, co-principal investigator or key personnel on a federally funded research project (including subawards).
• University personnel designated as covered individuals by a federal research agency.
• University personnel supporting federal contracts/awards with access to regulated data (controlled unclassified information, HIPAA, genomic, etc.).
• University personnel involved in export-controlled projects. Most USC research is not subject to export control regulations, which apply to research on specific technologies that could be used for military purposes and items listed on the United States munitions list.
• University personnel working on a federal agency contract/award requiring Operations Security (OPSEC) training.

Please review the Research Security Trainings page for additional details about which training(s) you may be required to complete.

Training requirements

The following web-based training modules are now available, each designed to address specific compliance needs. All covered individuals are required to complete the Research Security Training module (or the refresher version) each year. Visit the Research Security Trainings page for information to help you determine if you need to complete one or more additional modules listed below.

• Research Security Training: Covers research security risks and tools.
• Export Control Compliance Training: Raises awareness of export control laws.
• Insider Threat Awareness Training: Provides tools to detect and mitigate insider risks; included within the Research Security Training module.
• Controlled Unclassified Information Training: Focuses on managing and safeguarding controlled unclassified information.
• Operations Security Training: Provides guidance on protecting unclassified   operational and personal information

Confirm completion

To confirm completion of required Research Security training:

1. Download your certificate of completion upon finishing each web-based training module.
2. Submit your certificate via the REDCap form available on the Research Security Trainings page. 

If you have already completed any required training, please upload your certificate using the REDCap form to ensure your compliance is recorded. You must complete this step to receive credit for completing the required research security training modules.