Human Research Protections Program and IRB

Vanderbilt University is set to launch a new Human Research Protections Program with a Social, Behavioral, and Educational Research (SBER) Institutional Review Board (IRB) March 3, 2025.

This new VU SBER IRB will oversee the majority of human research conducted at the university, offering tailored support for SBER studies while enabling the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) IRB to focus on biomedical and clinical research.

Research conducted in a classroom

Next Event

Which IRB will review my research during the soft launch starting March 3rd?

Flowchart titled 'VU or VUMC IRB?' outlining the decision process for Vanderbilt University researchers to determine whether to submit their study to the Vanderbilt University IRB or the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) IRB. It begins with Vanderbilt University Principal Investigators starting with a REDCap questionnaire. If the study is defined as 'Not Human Subjects Research,' it directs researchers to obtain REDCap certification. Social, behavioral, and educational research without VUMC clinical resources or personnel is directed to the Vanderbilt University IRB, while studies involving VUMC clinical resources or biomedical research are directed to the VUMC IRB. Exempt and non-exempt studies involving VUMC study personnel are advised to consult the Vanderbilt University IRB. Each decision point is visually connected to guide researchers through the process clearly.

See descriptions of the flowchart categories. VU PIs submitting to the VUMC IRB must include the HRPP Determination with their study material.

Phased Transition

  • First Phase: Soft Launch (March 3)

    New expedited, standard (greater-than-minimal-risk) and international SBER studies involving human participants will be submitted to the VU SBER IRB.

    BRANY approved international studies will transition to the VU SBER IRB at natural review or reevaluation points, such as annual continuing reviews.

    Biomedical and clinical studies, along with modifications and continuing reviews of active studies, will continue to be submitted to the VUMC IRB.

  • Next Phase: Full Launch (Mid-2025)

    New exempt, expedited, and standard SBER studies will be submitted to the VU SBER IRB. BRANY approved studies will transition to the VU SBER IRB at natural review or reevaluation points, such as annual continuing reviews.

    Biomedical and clinical studies remain under the VUMC IRB, along with ongoing modifications and reviews of studies previously approved by VUMC IRB.

  • Final Phase: Transition Active Studies

    All active, ongoing SBER studies already approved by the VUMC IRB or BRANY will transition to the VU SBER IRB at natural review or reevaluation points, such as annual continuing reviews.

    Biomedical and clinical studies remain under the VUMC IRB

    This phase completes the transition and establishes the VU SBER IRB as the primary body for all social, behavioral, and educational research studies.