NIH IRB Review Process

The Office of IRB Operations (IRBO) oversees the day-to-day operations of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institutional Review Board (IRB).  The convened 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 unaffiliated 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. In addition, the NIH IRB, has experienced IRB members, referred to as designated reviewers to conduct expedited, limited IRB and exempt reviews.