For which type of grants does the NIH require a written description of a program addressing responsible conduct of research?

The requirement from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for a written description of a program addressing responsible conduct of research specifically applies to Institutional National Research Service Awards (NRSA). The rationale behind this requirement is to ensure that individuals in mentorship or training capacity are educated on the ethical dimensions and responsible conduct related to their research activities. This training is crucial for fostering a research environment that emphasizes integrity, accountability, and ethics, particularly for those who are in the formative stages of their research careers.

In the context of research grants, Institutional NRSA provides funding to institutions to train predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers. By mandating a program for responsible conduct of research, the NIH underscores the importance of these principles across all levels of training, thus ensuring that future researchers are well-equipped to navigate the ethical challenges they may encounter in their careers.