Building Research Skills
In academic medicine building research skills transcends all SMPH missions to comprise research conducted in multiple areas. The collection of resources gathered here can help faculty and staff navigate institutional policies and procedures; find required or recommended trainings; locate opportunities for funding; and learn about research management. Importantly, we have included resources to help faculty and staff conduct research of educational, laboratory, translational, community-based or clinical nature. Be sure to check out the HIPxChange toolkits and resources. We have organized these research related resources on cross listed multiple themed pages, such as with a research focus like human subjects or stem cells; funding information and opportunities; relevance to new or principal investigators; and policies, procedures and compliance. Some resources may appear in more than one place for ease of finding, access and convenience. For additional materials, see SMPH Research.
Resources
Effort certification is a federal requirement to ensure sponsors are reasonably charged for projects and the commitments of their project will be met. Refer to Effort Reporting and Certification and the SMPH Effort Policy (PDF) for more information.
- The Basics of Effort Reporting (PDF)
- The Basics of Effort Reporting for the School of Medicine and Public Health (PDF)
(See pages 33-36 for SMPH module not included in RSP office original publication)
Chemical Safety: Please refer to the EH&S Office of Chemical Safety if your research will involve chemicals. This UW–Madison Laboratory Safety Manual and this chemical safety resource guide may also be useful.
Radiation Safety: Please refer to the EH&S Office of Radiation Safety if your research will involve radiation or lasers. You may need to complete the Radionuclides in Vertebrate Animals form, or the Handling and Storing Radioactive Materials form. This UW–Madison Radiation Safety Manual may also be useful.
Biological Safety: Please refer to the EH&S Office of Biological Safety if your research includes the use of biological materials. This guide may be useful in determining if you need to declare a Biosafety Protocol. Also review this information about select agents, and dual use research of concern (DURC) to ensure compliance.
Building Safety: See General and Building Safety Training for onsite courses in general health and safety topics. Role, function, and workplace-specific content is also available through division and academic unit courses.
Please complete this fire safety training if your research has the potential risk of fires.
Application for Review of Research Oversight at Wisconsin (ARROW) is an online system used at the University of Wisconsin–Madison to review and track applications for institutional research oversight. You will need your NetID to login to ARROW.
SMPH Policies, Guidelines and Procedures
This link provides a collection of policies, guidelines and procedures that are both school-specific and campus or UW system-wide.
This page provides quick access to UW–Madison research compliance, protocol training, and data stewardship policies, including information needed to safely and efficiently close out laboratory activities.
Fundamentals of Protocol Writing Workshop
This workshop provided a review of the core components of a clinical trial protocol, strategies to engage biostatistical collaboration in creating protocols, and an opportunity to learn about processes in protocol writing in industry. Please also see the slides and virtual handbook.
Presenter(s): Dr. Nasia Safdar and Dr. Bernadette Gillick, ICTR
Materials:
The WiSys Grant Writing Webinar Series encourages UW System grant seekers to cultivate grant writing skills, connect with WiSys grant writing experts and create new funding opportunities for their work
ICTR Qualitative and Mixed Methods Research Resources
The Intro to Qualitative Research for the Applied Health Sciences: A Self-Study Course is a no cost course developed by qualitative research expert, Nora Jacobson. Great for the busy clinician, as it’s self-paced and can do every module or view single modules.
Introduction to Statistics for Everyday Use in Research
This course provides general information on “statistics” for everyday use either in the planning of a study or for a manuscript, such as common statistical tests, analysis software, and statistical plans. Topics also include non-statistical factors such as study design, feasibility of recruitment, and sample sizes.
NIH Online Course: Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (IPPCR)
This course will be of interest to physicians, scientists, medical and dental students, nurses, public health professionals, and others conducting or planning a career in clinical research. Free, online. Includes info on health disparities research, D&I research, community-based participatory research, etc. if you do not wish to enroll in the course, you can still view the individual course lectures. This is a good option for individuals who want to focus on part but not all of the course material.
Explore SMPH funding resources, including funding search tools, grant and award opportunities, and up-to-date funding announcements from the NIH.
The SMPH Research Funding Opportunities Newsletter is a regular email update featuring new and noteworthy funding opportunities. You can also access an archive of past newsletters and view the complete list of active opportunities here.
Human Subjects Research
Human Research Protection Program
This link provides access to required trainings such as CITI Human Research Protections, Good Clinical Practice and HIPAA Privacy and Security. Optional trainings include Basics of Conducting Clinical Research at UW, Office of Research Integrity: The Research Clinic and PREP: Professional Research Education Program.
Other useful links for human subjects research training include:
- The VCRGE Lookup Utilities allows you to look up current training status for yourself, faculty, staff and students (requires netID).
UW–Madison Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Portal
UW–Madison, UW Health, and Madison VA personnel that are involved in research studies on human subjects must complete this training via CITI using their net ID. Training requires renewal every three years.
Research Compliance, Protocol, and Safety Related Training Requirements Matrix
This matrix includes compliance, protocol, and safety related training requirements for many types of research and research related activities. Additionally, the list indicates the population of individuals or researchers who would need to complete the training and training renewal times if required. Reviewing this list could be particularly useful for faculty and staff who conduct interdisciplinary research.
Effort Commitments and Payroll Certification
Effort certification is a federal requirement to ensure sponsors are reasonably charged for projects and the commitments of their project will be met.
Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Policy Index
The HRPP maintains the human subjects research protections policies utilized by all UW–Madison Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) and campus officials. Click the link for more information.
The Investigator Manual provides step-by-step guidance for conducting human participant research at UW–Madison. It covers researcher responsibilities, IRB submission requirements, review processes, and post-approval expectations, along with key documents and additional resources to support compliance throughout a study.
CITI Human Subjects Protections (HSP) Training
UW–Madison, UW Health, and Madison VA personnel that are involved in research studies on human subjects must complete this training via CITI using their netID — Log into CITI here. Both trainings require renewal every three years.
HIP provides researchers the resources they need to conduct health services research and work with our partners—from developing study ideas to disseminating results. Their goal is to strengthen your project and make it more likely to receive funding, be accepted for publication, and to improve clinical practice.
ICTR offers coordinated services that support research design, development, and implementation across the full project lifecycle. If you’re not sure where to begin, ICTR’s Navigator can help you identify the right services and connect you with the support you need.
Discover the SMPH Research Strategic Plan and guidance to finding funding.
Translational Science Biocore (TSB)
The UW Carbone Cancer Center (UWCCC) Translational Science BioCore supports world class biomedical research by facilitating cancer-related basic science and translational research through the integration of human biospecimen collection and storage with associated histological and molecular services. These services are provided through the partnership of the TSB BioBank and the TSB Translational Research Initiatives in Pathology (TRIP) laboratory.
Look up your current training status or the training status of other faculty, staff and students (requires netID).
Animal Research
RARC Animal Resources and Compliance Training
Some courses available at this link are open access and anyone with a netID can take the course. Individuals must be listed as research or teaching staff on an approved protocol to sign up for RARC closed-access courses. If unsure of your status on a protocol contact the principal investigator. If you have training questions or concerns look for the link on the RARC page to contact an RARC trainer. Be aware that some courses have prerequisites. Some of the required trainings include: Animal User Orientation; Species Specific Training; Lab Animal Surgery; and Anesthesia Training Requirements for Non-Survival Surgery.
EH&S offers several different types of training for Animal Safety. Please review and determine what to complete.
UHS offers various pre- and post-exposure services for faculty, staff, students and affiliates who have contact with animals in research and academic environments. Please review the web page for more information and access to the Animal Contact Risk Questionnaire (ACRQ) and Service Personnel Limited Animal Area Access Form (SPLAAAF).
Cage Wash and Autoclave for Animal Care Staff
This online course emphasizes the general principles of Cage Wash and Autoclave Safety for the animal care staff working in animal facilities that uses a cage washer and autoclave for cleaning and disinfecting animal cages, bedding/waste and other animal related equipment.
RARC contains courses to help individuals within the UW program learn a variety of skills relating to animals and using them in research. RARC skills training has both open and closed access courses which may be held in-person or online. Some available topics include, Medical Records Training, Guidelines for Working with Wildlife, and Perfusion.
All Campus Animal Planning and Advisory Committee (ACAPAC)
The ACAPAC serves in an advisory capacity to the Institutional Official on matters related to oversight of the ethical and humane use of animals in all university research, teaching, and outreach activities. Among other things, the charge to the committee includes “[contributing] to [the] strategic planning for the animal care and use program”.
RARC Animal Protocol Information
All animal care and use protocols, regardless of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) oversight, are submitted through the Application for Review of Research Oversight at Wisconsin (ARROW) system. PIs submit new and renewal protocols via ARROW. Protocols are administered by the Research Animal Resources and Compliance IACUC office. RARC staff then assigns the protocol to one of four IACUCs for review based on where the animals are housed. This forms and instructions section provides additional details regarding submitting, amending, and terminating an animal research protocol. Additionally, this collection of self-check guides may help you to maintain compliance.
Policies to implement regulatory requirements, humane and ethical use of animals, and best veterinary practices are created under the authority of one of three entities: the Institutional Official, the Attending Veterinarian, and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs). Animal User Requirements (AURs) are established under the authority of the Attending Veterinarian. A comprehensive list of these policies is maintained by RARC.
In addition to these policies, each IACUC may establish policies to address unique aspects of their animal use program. Learn more about which IACUC policies may apply to you.
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
Both the federal Animal Welfare Act, and the NIH OLAW PHS Policy on the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, mandate the existence of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at every research institution that is registered with the USDA and holds an Assurance from OLAW.
University of Wisconsin–Madison has four IACUCs that oversee the very large and active teaching, research, and outreach programs involving vertebrate animals. IACUC’s are charged with defining and enforcing an institutional Animal Care and Use Program in accordance with USDA and NIH standards. As per policy 1997-001-io, each IACUC has adopted the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PDF), and Guide for the Care and Use of Agricultural Animals in Research and Teaching (PDF) as a minimum standard. Each IACUC may have additional policies you will need to adhere to and will hold semi annual inspections to ensure compliance.
These are the four IACUCs at UW–Madison:
- College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) Animal Care and Use Committee
- School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) Animal Care and Use Committee
- School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) Animal Care and Use Committee
- College of Letters and Sciences and Vice Chancellor Office for Research and Graduate Education Centers (LSVC) Animal Care and Use Committee
Policy information is provided for transferring animals within SMPH facilities, between UW–Madison schools, importing and exporting with outside institutions and services.
Select the link to find out more about policies regarding transportation of animals. Additionally, more information is available for animal transportation.
Explore RARC’s collection of Animal Health resources for help ensuring your animals’ wellbeing. You can use the collection to learn which anesthetics and analgesics to use, find normative species data, and much more.
Animal Cage, Care Systems, Bedding and Accessories Purchasing
Follow this link to find the federal laws and guidelines and regulations on buildings, enclosures and animal housing that are followed by UW–Madison in regards to animal research.
Biomedical Research Model Services (BRMS)
A wealth of information is available at this site. BRMS was formerly Laboratory Animal Resources, a support program of the School of Medicine and Public Health at UW–Madison.
Biomedical Research Model Services (BRMS) provides transportation for animals between buildings at UW–Madison, to appropriate receiving areas, at no extra charge to the investigators. Visit Policies, Procedures, and Compliance section above for more information on transferring and transporting animals.
Directory of Resources for Researchers
Try using this search tool for campus research resources.
Facilities Access and Animal Ordering
To find information on access and ordering of animals for the different schools within the UW Madison system.
RARC Comparative Pathology Laboratory
The RARC Comparative Pathology Laboratory is responsible for providing diagnostic services for the research lab animal community at UW–Madison. The laboratory welcomes collaborations with investigators using all species of animals. Select the link for specific services provided.
There are several services provided by RARC which include: Veterinary Care; Pharmacy Services; Breeding Services; Rodent Quarantine Services; Rodent Analgesia Service; Equipment Lending; and Sterilization. Select the link for more information.
Stem Cell Research
Stem Cell Research Oversight: Training
Stem Cell Ethics and Policy training is required for principal investigators, co-investigators, points of contact, key personnel, and other study team members listed on a SCRO protocol. Training is available through Canvas with a Net ID and expires every three years.
The National Academies: Stem Cells
Explore this National Academies website which provides information on stem cell basics (PDF), the National Academies’ Guidelines for Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research, current activities, and related reports.
National Institutes of Health (NIH) Human Stem Cell Research Policy
Provides NIH policy and guidance for conducting stem cell research.
Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee
The Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO) Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of UW–Madison Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Research policies and procedures, as well as the review of the SCRO Committee Initial Application Form that must be submitted to be enrolled in the UW–Madison hESC Registry and to ensure approval of covered research activities.
Stem Cell Research Oversight (SCRO): Policies and Guidance
This link provides policy and guidance for conducting stem cell research at UW–Madison
UW–Madison Stem Cell Policies, Guidance and Resources
This link provides a substantial list of policies, guidance and resources at UW–Madison and other national resources that could be necessary or useful for conducting stem cell research
All hES cell lines listed on the current NIH hESC Registry are eligible for use on the UW–Madison campus. To view the listing of lines approved by the NIH for use in federally funded research please visit the NIH hESC Registry. Non-approved hES Cell Lines must have their provenance documented and approved by the SCRO committee before first becoming eligible for use. This link explains more of the process and the UW–Madison hESC Registry.
UW–Madison Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Center (SCRMC)
A multitude of information and resources are available at the SCRMC website.
WiCell’s primary mission is to serve the investigators of the University of Wisconsin. In addition to providing Core reagents and services, WiCell can distribute cell lines derived by UW investigators to the global stem cell community. Information at this link explains the four steps for depositing cell lines with WiCell and other contact information.