Institutional Review Board
All research involving human subjects must be reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). An IRB works in collaboration with university/institutional researchers to maintain an ethical and compliant research program. An IRB is the independent review committee charged with the protection of human research subjects.
The FHSU IRB reviews and approves all research protocols involving human subjects to ensure that the university and individual researchers comply with laws and national standards regarding the ethical treatment of human subjects. The FHSU IRB, comprised of cross-disciplinary FHSU scientists, non-scientists, and community members, meets monthly during the academic year to review proposed and ongoing research. The IRB and all FHSU researchers must follow the ethical principles outlined by the Belmont Report which includes respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.
The IRB also subscribes to the "Common Rule" for the protection of human subjects, also known as the “Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects,” which is utilized by the US Department of Health and Human Services as well as 15 other federal departments and agencies (see the Office of Human Research Protections for more information). The Common Rule outlines what is defined as research and what research is exempt from review by the IRB. If you are not sure that your activity is research, view research determinations in the Guidance for Researchers page. All researchers must receive IRB approval before beginning or conducting research involving human subjects. For more information, please refer to the FHSU IRB Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research.
Federal Wide Assurance Number: 00014094 (Expires: 07/07/2026)
IRB Registration Number: IORG0005671
IRB Roster: For more information, please refer to the list of Provost Standing Committees
Submissions that do not need to be approved by the Full Committee (e.g., exempt studies) are reviewed and approved by IRB staff in the order received. Submissions that require limited, expedited, or full review should be submitted to IRBNet approximately 10 days in advance of the scheduled IRB meeting date. If you have any questions, please contact the IRB administrator (IRB@fhsu.edu).
| Deadline for Submission | IRB Meeting Date |
| June 20, 2024 | June 27, 2024 |
| August 21, 2024 | August 31, 2024 |
| September 16, 2024 | September 26, 2024 |
| October 14, 2024 | October 24, 2024 |
| November 11, 2024 | November 21, 2024 |
| December 2, 2024 | December 12, 2024 |
| January 20, 2025 | January 30, 2025 |
| February 17, 2025 | February 27, 2025 |
| March 17, 2025 | March 27, 2025 |
| April 15, 2025 | April 25, 2025 |
| May 1, 2025 | May 7, 2025 |
The IRB does not schedule monthly meetings during the summer. Research proposals requiring a full review may take longer to review or to be approved during the summer as there may only be one IRB meeting. Research that is eligible for exempt determination or limited/expedited review that does not require a convened board meeting may not be affected by the summer schedule.