Projects that meet the definition of regulated human research under the Common Rule may fit within one or more categories of “Exempt” research. This does not mean that these studies do not need IRB review. For a research study to be deemed "Exempt", investigators need to submit an application to the IRB. Please note that an "Exempt" determination must be made by the IRB.
Approval timelines are contingent upon the complexity of a study, the investigator's responsiveness, and whether applicable approvals have been obtained. Average approval timelines are broken down by level of review:
The Research, Innovation & Impact Human Subjects Protection Program (HSPP) will implement upgrades to the electronic Institutional Review Board (eIRB) system to provide the latest features and maintain quality performance.
This upgrade will cause the eIRB and eDisclosure systems to be unavailable beginning 8 a.m., Friday, April 21 through 8 a.m., Monday, April 24.
eIRB
eDisclosure
The new eIRB is now available for human subjects research submissions.
For information on using eIRB, please consult the following resources:
Video demos and instructional material: eIRB Information (NetID is required)
Zoom drop-in training sessions: eIRB Drop-In Office Hours (no registration required)
How will the move to eIRB affect you?
The new eIRB system is now being used for all human subjects research submissions, including determination of human research and external IRB requests. Submissions are no longer accepted via our general departmental email inbox.
For questions or more information, contact the Human Subjects Protection Program at vpr-irb@arizona.edu.
Implementing New Systems to Make Your Work Easier
Beginning this summer, the Office of Research, Innovation and Impact will sequentially roll out and upgrade new systems designed to make your work related to Conflict of Interest and Commitment matters, the Human Subjects Protection Program (HSPP), and research proposals much easier. Because these changes are relevant to all of campus, from students to staff to faculty, please check your email inboxes in the coming weeks and months for information about training sessions and transitioning to the new systems.
Conflict of Interest (COI) and Conflict of Commitment (COC)
The COI Program is implementing a new electronic system, called eDisclosure, which will be used by the University community to submit COI disclosure information and COC forms for approval. The emails you will begin receiving will provide information on what you can expect as we transition to the new system. Once the go-live date is finalized, there will be a two-week blackout period during which COI and COC information cannot be submitted. We will update you on specific dates soon. Please work to ensure your COI disclosure, research certifications and COC forms are updated by the end of May. Some of the benefits of eDisclosure include:
For more information, contact the COI Program at coi@arizona.edu.
New electronic Institutional Review Board (IRB) system
Additionally, HSPP is implementing a new electronic IRB system called eIRB, which is a platform where researchers will submit and manage their human subject protocols. Details regarding the rollout of this new system, which will increase productivity and provide researchers with a greater level of transparency during IRB reviews, include:
Those with questions about eIRB are asked to contact Christine Melton-Lopez, HSPP director, at melton1@email.arizona.edu.
Research system upgrade
This fall, following implementation of the COI and HSPP systems, the current UAccess Research (UAR) system will be updated to a newer version called Kuali Research.
Here are some highlights:
For more information, contact Susan Mundt, SPCS assistant director of operations, at mundts@arizona.edu.
Yes! The HSPP offers a variety of training opportunities including workshops and Office Hours. For training details, please visit the IRB Training Opportunities webpage. If you are interested in requesting training on a specific topic or having an HSPP member present at a class, lab, or faculty meeting, please contact the general inbox at VPR-IRB@arizona.edu.
Prior to IRB submission, all projects that will utilize Banner Health resources (i.e., facilities, patients, employees) must be entered into the University of Arizona Health Sciences (UAHS) Research Administration Portal (RAP). Upon submission to the IRB, please upload RAP approval to eIRB. In addition, the IRB also requires that the UA Medical Consent Form be used when Banner Health resources will be utilized.
If you are traveling outside of the United States to conduct human subjects research, you will need to register your travel with the UA Travel Registry. For more information on conducting international research, see the HSPP guidance on International Research.
For questions that require immediate attention, please email the general inbox at VPR-IRB@arizona.edu. This inbox is continuously monitored, and your questions will be directed to the appropriate individual.
Investigators are required to report local problems, concerns, serious risks, and failure to follow the protocol to the IRB for all human subjects research. These reports must be submitted to the IRB within ten (10) business days of discovery. Changes made to eliminate risk to subjects must be reported to the IRB within five (5) business days of discovery. Reportable items must be submitted in eIRB as a Reportable New Information (RNI). If the University of Arizona IRB is the IRB of Record for another site, the site must follow the same requirements. For additional information, please see the HSPP guidance on Reporting New Information.