Financial Conflict of Interest Training for Federal Grants
Research Compliance
Training and Certification Requirements
WWU requires all investigators participating in, or applying for, federally sponsored funding to complete conflict of interest training prior proposal submission. VPR staff will verify completion by senior/key personnel at the time an award and prior to the expenditure of funds and when award extensions are made.
Frequently Asked Questions
All investigators participating in federally sponsored research are required to complete FCOI training.
Investigators participating in federally funded projects are required to complete general FCOI training through CITI.
Investigators participating in Public Health Service (PHS) sponsored projects are required to complete PHS specific COI training.
WWU requires that PIs complete their appropriate FCOI training prior to the submission of any federal research proposal.
Initial training prior to engaging in federally sponsored research and at least every four years or immediately if:
- An Investigator is new to WWU
- An Investigator is joining a federally sponsored project (after proposal submission)
- If Investigator is not in compliance with the WWU's financial conflict of interest policy or management plan
Next Steps
Use the instructions below to complete the appropriate training specific to your the sponsoring agency.
Federally Sponsored Investigators
How to Access the Training
We use the Conflict of Interest course provided by CITI. See How to Add a CITI Course for instructions about how to add the correct course to your pre-existing CITI account.
Helpful Tips
Make sure you use the appropriate instructions for steps 6+ to add the correct course.
- If you do not already have a CITI account we have step-by-step instructions about how to create one.
- Additional CITI resources are available here.
Save a PDF copy of your course completion certificate for your records and be prepared to share it with RSP Pre-Award staff if prompted.
See How to Access CITI Course Completion Certificates page for instructions.
PHS Investigators only
How to Access the Training
We use the FCOI training module provided by NIH.
Important note about your training completion certificate! Because this training is delivered by NIH and is not connected to any WWU managed system, each individual is responsible for saving their own completion certificate. RSP and Research Integrity staff cannot access the your certificate or other proof of training on your behalf. If you do not save a copy of your certificate you will need to complete the training again and save a PDF of your completion certificate.
How to Complete the Training
- Review all modules and content included in the NIH training.
- Click on "Start Quiz" at the bottom of the menu.
- Complete quiz.
- After reviewing all the materials included in the course, click "Print Certificate."
- Disclaimer: Because this training is delivered by NIH and is not connected to any WWU managed system, each individual is responsible for saving their own completion certificate. RSP and Research Integrity staff cannot access the your certificate or other proof of training on your behalf. If you do not save a copy of your certificate you will need to complete the training again.
- Enter your name into the pop up field as it should appear on your certificate and click "OK."
- SAVE a copy of your certificate as PDF and RETAIN it for your records. You will be asked to provide a copy of the certificate by VPR staff for verification purposes.