Office Of Research & Sponsored Projects

Institutional Review Board

The University of Texas-Pan American's Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews all research that meets the definition of “human subjects research”. The board is made up of UTPA faculty, staff, and members of the community. The board evaluates research proposals to make sure the planned research follows the ethical principles of human subjects protection and that it adheres to university policies and federal regulations. IRB approval must be obtained before human subjects research begins; approval cannot be provided retroactively. All researchers involved with human subjects research must be familiar with applicable policies and procedures including, but not limited to, federal regulations (CFR Title 45, Part 46). Address any questions and comments toThe Office Of Research and Sponsored Projects or call 384-5004.

IRB Submission Process

Please read the UTPA IRB Guidance Document for information about current UTPA IRB policies and procedures. The document also contains links to all the required forms. Note that all researchers and research assistants working with participants directly, or working with individually identifiable data, must complete human subjects protection training.

UTPA IRB Guidance Document - Policies and Procedures

Simplified Consent Process

If your research is restricted to non-sensitive or anonymous surveys with adults, it may fall under a federal regulations exemption category. A simplified consent process is available for this type of research, as explained in the guidance document below.

UTPA IRB Guidance Document - Simplified consent process for 45CFR46-exempt survey/interview research

Human Subjects Training Requirement

Human subjects education requirements are satisfied through the completion of an online training course. This course, the CITI course, consists of a reduced basic course of core modules with optionally required modules for certain types of research (e.g. research with prisoners). Guidance regarding course registration and the completion of required and optional modules is provided in the document below (includes screen shots).

Instructions for completing Human Subjects Training requirement

Online Human Subjects Protection (CITI) Training Website

IRB Meeting Schedule and Protocol Submission Deadlines:

Human subjects research proposals are reviewed via one of three processes: “exempt”, “expedited”, or “full”. “Exempt” and “Expedited” review is possible with certain categories of research (as specified in the federal regulations) and may be reviewed outside of the full IRB committee by one or more experienced IRB members (generally the IRB Chair). Protocols that do not qualify for exempt or expedited review must be reviewed by the full IRB committee at a convened meeting.
For full review, the deadline for protocol submission is the first Tuesday of each month. IRB committee meetings are scheduled approximately 2 weeks following the monthly submission dates. The exact meeting dates are based on committee member schedules and are therefore variable from semester to semester. The IRB Committee does not generally meet during the Summer months. If you anticipate conducting research during the Summer, you must submit your protocols by the May deadline.
Expedited and Exempt protocols are reviewed in the order received; there are no deadlines for these protocols. Please note that "expedited" refers to the fact that it is not subject to review by the full committee, but does not guarantee a fast approval process. Please turn in your IRB applications as early as possible before the anticipated start date.

If your research qualifies for either exempt or expedited review, please submit an original and one (1) copy of the IRB submission. If your study will require full committee review, please submit one (1) original and ten (10) copies.

NOTICE:

If your research is dependent on being funded by an internal or external grant:

To reduce the workload of Institutional Review Boards, many granting agencies do not need IRB approval at the time of proposal submission, but are likely to require it prior to release of award monies. Check with your granting agency about when IRB approval must be submitted. If your proposed research is contingent on grant funding, we ask that you submit an IRB application after having been granted your award.