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Institutional Review Board

An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee designated by an institution to help assure the protection of the rights and welfare of human subjects.  The IRB approves the initiation of and conducts periodic reviews of research involving human subjects.  Investigators also share the responsibility for protecting human subjects.

IRB News and Updates

Reminder Notice Regarding Continuing Reviews of Research

This is a reminder that the IRB does not permit extensions of research projects beyond the IRB approval dates. Federal guidelines and University policy require that continuing review of nonexempt research be conducted by the IRB at intervals appropriate to the degree of risk and not less than once per year. The regulations make no provision for any grace period extending the conduct of research beyond the expiration date of IRB approval. The renewal application form is posted on the ORAA website at http://www.umresearch.umd.edu/ORAA/forms/umoraa.html#6.  If it is in the best interest of individual subjects to continue participating in interventions or interactions for research in which approval has recently expired, the Principal Investigator should submit a request, to the IRB, for those research subjects to continue participating. The request should include a description of the potential harm if the subjects do not continue participating in the research. If you have any questions regarding this notice, please contact Roslyn Edson, IRB Manager at 301-405-0678 or redson@umresearch.umd.edu

Turnaround Time for the Review of IRB Applications

The turnaround time for exempt reviews is approximately three weeks upon receipt of the application at the IRB office. The turnaround time for expedited reviews is approximately four weeks upon receipt of the application at the IRB office. Please note that the amount of time for an exempt review or an expedited review may be longer if the reviewers request changes or clarification. The turnaround time for Full Board reviews is at least one month since Full Board review meetings are held once a month. However, the turnaround time for applications reviewed by the Full Board may be longer than one month if the application is not submitted by the application deadline, the meeting agenda is full when the application is submitted, or the application is not approved as submitted when first reviewed by the Full Board.

IRB Training

The IRB Manager conducts training sessions for the IRB Liaisons who review and sign IRB applications.  These 2-hour training sessions include a discussion of the changes to the Departmental review procedures.  The training sessions also cover the exempt, expedited and full Board review procedures and common problems requiring the submission of revised applications and revised consent forms.  Others are welcome to attend.  Please register in advance.

If you have any questions regarding these recent changes or have any suggestions, please contact us at irb@deans.umd.edu or refer to the IRB staff contact information.

IRB Staff Contact Information

When is IRB Review Required?

IRB Policies and Procedures

IRB Meeting Dates

IRB Membership Roster

IRB Applications, Consent Forms and Addendum Requests

Student Research Projects

FAQs

HIPAA Information

NIH Certification

IRB Training

Federal Wide Assurance

Federal Regulations and Codes and Requirements for International Research

Additional Resources

This page is maintained by the UM Division of Research and Graduate Studies. 

Questions, comments, and/or suggestions should be directed to IRB@deans.umd.edu

Institutional Review Board, 2100 Lee Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742 USA

This page last modified 01 March 2006
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