Human Research Protection Program/Institutional Review Board

The OVPRI Human Research Protection Program provides guidance and resources for researchers and IRB members at Virginia Commonwealth University.

We review all research involving human participants to facilitate the conduct of ethical research and ensure compliance with federal, state and institutional regulations. 

Don't submit until you're ready. There are several ancillary reviews and processes that are required for different kinds of research that should take place before the IRB review. Use the Human research quick start guide* to develop a personalized list of ancillary requirements for your research.

*The human research quick start guide is a REDCap-based tool. Users make selections in the tool to describe aspects of their project, and the tool will generate a list of links, suggestions, and contacts to help get a research project off the ground and ready for IRB review! This list can be saved as a PDF and referenced again later.

Submit to the IRB

Request a consultation

To support faculty and student researchers in navigating IRB processes, the VCU HRPP offers specialized, one-on-one IRB assistance via our consultation program. Click the "Schedule a consultation" button to request an appointment today!

Schedule a consultation

HRPP newsletter and blog

Stay in-the-know by signing up for the HRPP/IRB newsletter! Sign up to receive important notices of upcoming events and training sessions, new resources, and more!

Missed the latest newsletter? View the latest newsletters below.

Sign up for newsletter

You can also stay in touch with us through our blog, where we post announcements, events and educational resources.

Protocol navigator and consultant program

Conducting human subject research at VCU? Feeling stuck and don’t know where to start? Request a consultation from the new and exclusive protocol navigators and consultants (PNC) pilot program!
The PNC pilot program is exclusive to select schools and colleges on the Monroe Park Campus. It is designed to assist you (i.e., VCU researchers) in navigating the human research approvals process at VCU.

Request services from the faculty PNCs now!

Previous newsletters

Volume 004: Oct. 2022 (Research Ethics: Past, Present and Future)
Volume 003: July 2022 (New-to-VCU Investigators)
Volume 002: May 2022 (Independence of IRBs)
Volume 001: March 2022 (Reportable events)