Research Security Training

Research Security Training is one of the four elements of a Research Security Program and is required by new federal regulations for people receiving federal research funding. Penn’s research security training program is designed to address the unique needs, challenges, and risk profiles of the varied research and research-related activities conducted by our researchers both on and off campus.

In addition to basic information about the importance of Research Security, the training provides information on the many Penn offices that support security and international activities for our research community. The module has Researcher specific as well as Research Administrator specific training pathways.

Some sponsors are beginning to require Research Security Training as a condition of proposal submission and/or award for specific projects.  This training will fulfill that requirement.

The following agencies require that Covered Individuals must certify they have completed research security training within 12 months immediately preceding the application date:

• Department of Energy
• National Science Foundation
• National Institutes of Health
• ARPA-H
• NASA (effective August 5, 2026)

Other agencies:

• Department of War: training required on a project-by-project basis.
• USDA: Institution or individual must certify that each individual employed by the recipient to work on the award has completed the training and must certify annually for the duration of the award. Training must be completed either at the time of application, where applicable, or within the 12-month period immediately preceding the commencement of work on the award.

We encourage the research administration community to also complete the training so that you are best prepared to assist faculty with related questions.  The link to the training is found at https://www.myworkday.com/upenn/email-universal/inst/17816$1444/rel-task/2998$29489.htmld.