VCU is committed to the integrity and quality of our research as an essential component of research subjects protections.
VCU offers clinical research resources to assist you before, during and after conducting your clinical research.
ACUP/IACUC
The VCU Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP) supports investigators, staff, and students conducting research, teaching, and testing involving animals under Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) approval. The program ensures animal welfare and regulatory compliance through governance, training, post-approval monitoring, and auditing.
The IACUC provides ethical and regulatory review for all animal use protocols, ensuring alignment with federal, state, and institutional policies, and emphasizing the principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement. Together, the ACUP and IACUC promote responsible research, protect animal welfare, and uphold VCU’s research integrity.
HRPP/IRB
The Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) applies to the institution and all entities relying upon the institution and includes program governance, quality assurance and reporting as well as the oversight over any local ethics board operations. The big lens of institutional responsibilities sets the standards for quality and evaluates the changing environment
Institutional Review Boards (IRB) provide the ethics reviews which the HRPP relies in accordance with federal, state and local/institutional standards. The HRPP has oversight of the local IRB (e.g., VCU Panel A) and oversees the use of external IRBs. Focus on individual protocols and participant protections
Regulatory affairs
Regulatory affairs is established via a partnership hub located in the OVPRI. The hub helps to connect expertise across the institution in the design of long-range regulatory strategies (e.g., long-range planning for institutional intellectual property, data security, rights and responsibilities, and submission to regulatory agencies for future clearances or approvals. A vital part of making safe and effective healthcare products available to patients.
The strategy
IDS
Investigational Drug Services at VCU Health provide research-only pharmacy services to clinical studies that include investigational medications on the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) campus, as well as study dispensing oversight and guidance for VCU Health satellite pharmacy locations.
Provides access to investigational product
Wright Center
The C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research leads the development of research training, standards, quality and opportunities for the communities we serve. The Wright Center fosters research collaborations across the state and accelerates the translation of scientific discoveries to patient care.
Research volunteers
Interested in volunteering as a research participant?
Contact us
Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation
BioTech One
Vice President for Research and Innovation
