Institutional Review Board

Welcome to Huston-Tillotson’s Institutional Review Board

The Research Standards Committee and Institutional Review Board at HT, informs the University community at large concerning the responsibilities of faculty, students, or administrative researchers whose projects involve biological or behavioral research using live human and animal subjects, in order to ensure that procedures are followed to safeguard the rights, dignity, and welfare of research subjects and are in conformance with federal regulations.

The Committee receives proposals from all students, faculty, and administrative staff conducting research involving human or animal research subjects regardless of the form, location, or whether or not it is funded or if another institutional review has been made, e.g., by a hospital institutional review board. If applicable, a copy of that review is to accompany the proposal. Students who carry out research projects involving human or animal subjects must receive prior approval of the student’s protocol by the faculty member sponsoring and supervising the research in the student’s proposal. In addition, this Committee:

Responsibility #1: Formulate guidelines and policies that meet federal regulations, incorporate the ethical concerns of the entire University community, and reflect the particular needs of the University’s researchers (these guidelines and policies are to be approved by the President in consultation with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs);

Responsibility #2: Provides information to researchers as to the appropriate means for protecting the rights and welfare of subjects, securing the effective, free, informed consent of human subjects, and fulfilling federal, state, local, and University standards regarding human research.

Responsibility #3: Review all proposals for human research submitted to the Committee by faculty, student, or administrative researchers to assure concordance with the guidelines set forth in Volume II, Section 2.5.3 of the Policy Manual; and

Responsibility #4: Maintains adequate records, ensures confidentiality, and prepares a yearly report for the President on the research approved.

Research Standards Committee and IRB members shall not be involved in the initial or continuing review of an activity in which they have a vested interest, except to provide the information requested by the Committee.

Forms and Applications

Before applying for IRB review, please visit the relevant links listed in the sections below or the sidebar for information about the types of review, the submission process, and other pertinent information.

Use the sidebar links for additional resources. If you have any questions about the IRB submission process, contact the current Chair of IRB at cmcervantes@htu.edu.

Each form is hyperlinked and will take you directly to a PDF file of the form after you click on the link.

Forms

HT IRB Application for Initial Research and Continuation Form

HT IRB Study Proposal Template

HT IRB Request for Exemption Form

HT Institutional Review Board Continuing Review Request

HT IRB Request for Exemption of Classroom Projects

HT IRB Study Closure Form

HT IRB Faculty Report of Classroom Projects

IRB Meeting Dates and Deadlines (Timing of the IRB Review Process)

The IRB committee meets the last Friday of each month during the regular semester and deadlines are two weeks prior unless otherwise noted. The length of review time depends on the type of review and whether the proposal is submitted during the school year or over the summer.

IRB meeting dates and proposal submission deadlines for the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 semesters are as follows:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take for my submission to be reviewed?

We have a current turnaround time of 10 business days to review proposals and send investigators feedback. This is a rough estimate depending upon the type of proposal and the completeness of the proposal. Review could potentially take longer if revisions are needed.

How long will it take for my exempt request to be reviewed?

Similar to full review applications, we have a rough estimate of 10 business days to review exempt requests.

What do I need to submit for my proposal?

Complete the HT IRB application, including all supporting documents (e.g., data collection instruments, consent forms, all recruiting materials, etc.), and a copy of the CITI or any other approved formal training in human subjects’ research for all investigators (i.e. anyone who is going to be involved in the research, not just the PI). You must submit everything at once to the Chair of the IRB committee at cmcervantes@htu.edu.

When does the IRB need to be involved?

When there are human subjects involved, oversight may be needed. For further details to help you determine whether or not your research requires IRB oversight, click here. If you need further guidance or are still unsure, please contact the IRB Chair at cmcervantes@htu.edu for any questions.

I’m an HT faculty member or staff who will have student projects that involve research in the classroom. Do I need IRB oversight?

For classroom projects involving human subjects research, please click here for guidance. If you believe a class assignment qualifies for exemption from IRB oversight, you will need to submit an “HT IRB Request for Exemption of Classroom Projects.” Ultimately, it is the decision of the IRB to determine if your project(s) qualify for an exemption or require IRB oversight. For additional guidance, click here to review the “Classroom Projects Involving Human Subjects Research Guidance for Faculty.”

IRB During the Summer

The IRB committee does not meet during the summer. Anyone who is planning to begin data collection during the summer or early in the fall should ensure that the proposal is submitted by the last submission deadline in the fall or spring. Only under exceptional circumstances will proposals be reviewed during the summer. Please contact the Chair of the IRB at cmcervantes@htu.edu should you have additional questions.