Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The St. Cloud State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a mandated compliance committee that holds a Federalwide Assurance (FWA number 00002648) from the Office of Human Research Protection (OHRP) in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). This FWA is a binding agreement between DHHS and St. Cloud State University. Any institution that receives federal funds is required to establish and IRB to review all research that directly or indirectly involves a human participant. 

The main federal regulation governing research with human participants is known as the "Revised Common Rule" or "Final Rule" enacted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2017

Any personal information that is collected from residents of European Union nations - regardless of whether it is collected for research purposes or other university activities - is also governed by the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR.

About St. Cloud State University’s IRB

St. Cloud State University's IRB assures that research, teaching, and testing activities involving human subjects are in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations as well as university policies and assurances. The IRB is responsible for the review and approval of research conducted by students, faculty, and staff is to assure the protection of human subjects, the investigator, and the university. Read more about IRB procedures in Procedures Handbook.

IRB members are appointed by the SCSU President.

The IRB holds monthly meetings during the academic year.

IRB Process Overview

If you are conducting research or other investigations involving human participant: 

1. Determine if you need IRB Approval
2. Complete your CITI training for human subjects research
3. Prepare supporting documents.
4. Login to Wizehive and complete the IRB Protocol Form and upload associated supporting documents

1. Begin recruitment for your work using the IRB-approved forms. 
2. Complete annual renewals and protocols/revision forms in Wizehive when needed.