Training: Research Involving Human Subjects

Federal regulations require that all personnel involved in any NIH sponsored research take and pass a training course on human subjects research before embarking on such research. MIT policy extends this requirement to all MIT personnel involved in any human subjects research.

This requirement extends to all personnel who play a role in research involving human subjects including principal investigators, associate investigators, student investigators, study coordinators, visiting scientists, consultants, laboratory technicians and assistants.

The requirements encompasses all types of interactions with human subjects including, direct contact, indirect involvement, analysis of data and analysis of blood/tissue samples.

Principal Investigators are responsible for confirming that all study personnel have taken and passed the training course on Human Subjects Research, and are "certified" to participate in studies involving human subjects.

All personnel involved in studies utilizing humans as research subjects must undergo recertification in human subjects research training every three years from the date of original approval.

If you engage in Biomedical or Social and Behavioral research then you must complete a specially designed web based training course by following the link to the University of Miami CITI program. This course is hosted by the CITI program at the University of Miami and is accepted by institutions nationwide. When registering for the course, select Massachusetts Institute of Technology as your institution and then select the modules appropriate to your research activities (biomedical or social and behavioral research) and complete only the basic course.

You may view a list of current trainees at this link. (http://web.mit.edu/osp/www/hs-training.htm ) This list is provided by the Office of Sponsored Programs, at MIT.

COUHES may accept proof of human subject training from some other institutions.