• Research Compliance Office

IRB Application Process

Human Subjects Review

All research involving human subjects must be reviewed and approved before data collection can occur to assure that subjects are being treated ethically. Researchers cannot begin data collection until they have received a written approval letter.

Types of Review

Full-Committee Review
This type of review is carried out for studies that pose greater than minimal risk to subjects. Researchers should complete either a Social Behavioral Application or a Bioscience Application depending on the area of research. The IRB meets regularly throughout the year. Researchers should refer to the meeting schedule for meeting dates and times. The deadline for submitting applications is at least 12 business days prior to the next scheduled IRB meeting. Principal investigators and co-investigators may be asked to attend the IRB meeting to answer any questions that the IRB has.

Expedited Review
Studies are reviewed by the IRB Chair or a qualified member of the IRB. This type of review is carried out for studies which involve minimal risk to subjects and fit into an expedited review category of research as defined by 45CFR46. Researchers should complete either a Social Behavioral Application or a Bioscience Application depending on the scope of research.

Exempt review
This type of review is used for studies that meet exemption categories as defined by 45CFR46. If the study is not found exempt, it will need to go through expedited or full-committee review. Researchers whose studies fall into one of the exemption categories should complete an Application for Exempt Research.

Approval Timelines

Researchers should submit applications to the Research Compliance Office when they are complete. IRB approval may take between 1 to 6 weeks so researchers are encouraged to plan accordingly. Researchers may wish to refer to the Protocol Review Cycle. A particular protocol may take longer to process based upon issues such as complexity and completeness. If a study is submitted on an old application form, it will be returned to the PI.