Set up, goals and manual
We are happy to announce that upcoming November 2, 2026, the online self-study course Scientific Integrity for external PhDs starts. To meet the needs of our group of external PhDs, Jonathan van ‘t Riet (assistant professor @BSI and involved for many years in the PhD course on scientific integrity) has redesigned the existing BSI course on Scientific Integrity into an online self-study course. He will also be involved as your lecturer during this course.
As you might know, as of September 1, 2025, all research institutes are obliged to train their PhDs and staff in scientific integrity. So, this course is an obligatory part of your PhD trajectory. Of course there is a transition phase, and if you have done another kind of course related to scientific integrity, this also counts. Below you can find find more information on the policy and transition phase.
The aim of this course is to help you get started on a road of constant reflection on ethical issues in science that will hopefully last for your entire career. We will do this over the course of four weeks (and a final assignment which has to be finished before January 22) with the help of four fictional, but realistic ethical dilemmas framed as case studies.
Every week you write an ethics statement on the following subjects:
- Week 1: Selecting research questions and ‘dual use research’
- Week 2; Dealing with participants
- Week 3: Data analysis and reporting
- Week 4: Authorship and peer review
As mentioned, the course starts November 2, and the final report has to be handed in January 22. This course takes 3 hours of your time max every week.
The course is designed to help you achieve the following goals.
- You will become familiar with ethical issues in scientific research in general
- You will reflect critically on these issues
- You will be able to express your thoughts in discussions with others
- You will be able to reflect critically on your own research project
- You will become familiar with resources within the BSI that can help you with challenges concerning ethical issues in your own project
- You will become familiar with aspects of social safety in relation to scientific integrity and with the support structures of the Radboud University
Full details about the objectives, admission criteria and format are described in the course manual:
Do you want to join? Please send an email to Meta van den Eng (meta.vandeneng [at] ru.nl (meta[dot]vandeneng[at]ru[dot]nl)).
Transition period until December 2026
As of September 1st, 2025, all RU PhD candidates are required to complete a course on scientific integrity. For externally funded PhDs (UNL 3, 4, and PhDs with RU-FSS sandwich funding), we have decided to extend the transition period until December 2026. Below you will find an overview of how the rules apply in different situations.
1. You will submit or have already submitted your manuscript in Hora Finita before April 1, 2026
- BSI grants dispensation from the scientific integrity course. However, if you want you are still welcome to complete the MOOC (time investment: 7 hours).
- Please inform the Graduate School Coordinator, who will record the dispensation in Hora Finita and mark the required course as ‘fulfilled’ once your manuscript has been uploaded within the stated timeframe.
2. You will submit your manuscript in Hora Finita between April 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026
- You are required to complete either the MOOC (time investment: 7 hours) or a course/workshop/module of your choice offered by another provider, as long as it aligns with the RU course policy on Scientific Integrity and is comparable in terms of hours. Check the RU policy in advance or contact the Graduate School Coordinator for advice.
- You may also choose to follow the BSI online module Scientific Integrity for external PhDs (starts every November, time investment: 20 hours).
- If you choose a course from another provider, please also upload the course information in addition to your proof of participation. If there is no formal proof op participation or certificate, (a) (screen)shot(s) of assignments or webpage can also be included.
3. You will submit your manuscript in Hora Finita after December 31, 2026
- You are required to complete the BSI online module Scientific Integrity for external PhDs (starts every November, time investment: 20 hours) or a course/workshop/module of your choice from another provider, in accordance with the RU course policy on Scientific Integrity, comparable in terms of hours and incorporates reflection on your own work/position. Check the RU policy in advance or contact the Graduate School Coordinator for advice.
- If you choose a course from another provider, please also upload the course information in addition to your proof of participation. If there is no formal proof op participation or certificate, (a) (screen)shot(s) of assignments or webpage can also be included.
Once a month a new added training activities will be checked and approved in Hora Finita. If there are additional questions, you will be contacted.
If your situation does not fit any of the categories above, please contact the Graduate School Coordinator (meta.vandeneng [at] ru.nl (meta[dot]vandeneng[at]ru[dot]nl)) so we can advise you further.
RU policy PhD training on Research Integrity (2025)
A complete list of MOOCs and free online courses. | MOOC List, Coursera MOOC - H2020 INTEGRITY or https://www.coursera.org/learn/research-integrity