How long will it take to receive approval from the IRB?
If your study requires full board review and consideration, it may take up to four to six weeks. If the study qualifies for expedited review, then the process may take up to two to three weeks.

Why does the process take so long?
The review process is a very careful consideration performed by both the Human Subjects Protection division and the Rush IRB. For example, when a project is initially brought into the Human Subjects Protection office, it is prescreened to ensure that all proper documentation has been submitted. If there are no problems with the prescreening process, then it is scheduled for the next available IRB agenda. All IRB agenda materials are sent out a week in advance to allow members enough time to review each protocol. If queries are raised at the IRB meeting, these are forwarded to the investigator. Depending on how quickly the revisions are returned, they must be sent to a reviewer (provisional approval) or back to the full board (no decision) for approval. After the study is approved, the paperwork is generated and released to the investigator/study coordinator.

How can I determine if my project will require full board review or an expedited review?
The IRB ultimately determines whether a study qualifies for full board review or expedited review based on federal requirements. However, the Rush new project application has categories for expedited and exempt review, for the investigator to check off. The IRB will determine if a study qualifies for expedited review or an exemption.

How many copies do I need to submit to the Human Research Protection Office?
Depending on the type of review, the following number of copies should be submitted: Full Board: an original and 13 copies of the entire study packet. Expedited Review: an original and one copy of the entire study packet. Exemption: an original study packet.

Where can I get the necessary forms?
Forms are available for download from this site. If you have problems with any form or if a required form is not online, contact the Human Subjects Protection office.

For more information, contact: