General Information

All research projects involving the study of human participants must be first approved by the Suffolk University Institutional Review Board (IRB). This committee evaluates all research proposals involving human participants with respect to OHRP established ethical guidelines.

In order to remain compliant with federal regulations, the Suffolk University IRB requires proof of investigator completion of a human subjects protection education program.

IRB Open House

The IRB is hosting a monthly Open House to offer assistance with IRB submissions, selecting forms, and determining whether a project qualifies as human subjects research.  Starting this October, the open house will be held on the first Wednesday of each month, from 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM in the IRB Office.  The dates for this year can be found here.  Appointments are accepted, and walk-ins are welcome.

Forms and Submissions

Investigators should review the Request for Approval of Research (RAR) Form Instructions, fill out the RAR form, and submit it along with any appendices to Andrea Robinson. The forms and instructions can be found in the Forms section of the IRB webpage.  Investigators can indicate whether they anticipate expedited review or full committee review. They can review the Expedited Review Criteria Checklist for criteria toward that purpose. For full reviews, the committee will review the proposal 3 weeks after the submission deadline for that meeting, and investigators will receive notification of approval status via e-mail and postal mail.  Expedited reviews may occur more promptly, depending on the number of submissions currently in process.  If an investigator has a specific deadline for a grant proposal or other institution, they should make the IRB aware of it so that accommodations can be made if possible.   

Approval of research is valid for one year; at that time, the primary investigator will be required to submit a Renewal or Closure Form. Investigators will be notified of the impending lapse of approval one and two months ahead of time.

Attending an IRB Meeting

Guests are welcome at all IRB meetings.  As all IRB proceedings are confidential, anyone attending the meeting as a guest will be asked to sign a confidentiality agreement.  If you wish to attend an IRB meeting, please contact Andrea Robinson so she can arrange to provide the meeting materials for you.

Recruitment

If you are a Suffolk faculty member, student, or staff member and wish to recruit subjects by posting a research participation sign up sheet on the Research Participation Board on the 6th floor of Donahue you must first read these guidelines: Research Participation Board Policy. The research participation sign up sheet can be obtained directly from Jessica Festa or Andrea Robinson.

External Investigators

All non-Suffolk investigators wishing to recruit research participants from Suffolk University must request permission from the Suffolk IRB in advance of recruitment.  Please submit a copy of your home IRB’s submission and approval to Andrea Robinson for certification by the IRB for use on campus.  All recruitment materials will be stamped with an acknowledgement once recruitment can proceed.

Audits

The IRB may, at any time, implement an audit of any project, particularly the condition of signed consent forms.

Grants and Funding

For assistance with the grant application process, please contact the Office of Corporate, Foundation, and Government Grants.