Office of Institutional Review Board (IRB) Operations

Overview

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an administrative body established to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects who participate in research activities conducted under the auspices of the institution with which it is affiliated. The IRB has the authority to approve, disapprove, monitor, and require modifications in all research activities that fall within its jurisdiction as specified by both the federal regulations and institutional policy. The IRB ensures that the institution, affiliate institutions, and the investigators that it serves are compliant with the ethical standards and regulations governing human subject research.

The Office of IRB Operations (IRBO) oversees the day-to-day operations of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institutional Review Board (IRB).  The NIH IRB meets 4 times per week and is comprised of at least five members of varying backgrounds in order to provide complete and adequate review of human research and its institutional, legal, scientific, and social implications. The Board also includes at least one member who is not affiliated with the NIH and one member who is not a scientist. The NIH IRB has several consultants who advise the Board and are periodically involved in protocol review.

Coexistent with the protection of research subjects the goal, of the IRBO is to provide quality service to enhance the conduct of research and ensure human subject research studies are regulatory compliant.