Institutional Review Boards (IRBMED)

A component of the University of Michigan's Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and a unit of the Office of Research, the six Institutional Review Boards of the University of Michigan Medical School (IRBMED) oversee human subjects research conducted at the Medical School and Michigan Medicine. This includes research conducted off-site by University faculty and staff when acting as University employees or in connection with their University appointments.

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IRBMED Pages

We look forward to working with you.
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • IRBMED Education
  • Informed Consent & Assent Templates
  • For IRBMED Members
  • Emergencies, Contacts, Roster
  • For Study Participants
    • eResearch
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    Spotlight On
    New IRBMED Director starts 10/21

    Kindra Cooper, J.D., has been appointed as the new director of IRBMED, with a start date of Monday 21 October.
    Research A to Z
    How IRBMED Supports Research

    IRBMED is charged with protecting the rights and welfare of participants in clinical trials and other human subjects research studies. IRBMED is responsible for monitoring compliance with federal and state laws, university policies, and ethical principles (particularly those articulated in the Belmont Report).

    Frequently Asked Questions
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    Informed Consent & Assent Templates

    IRBMED offers numerous downloadable templates to assist researchers in creating informed consent and assent documents. In addition to standard consent and assent templates, several specialty templates, for use in specific types of research situations, are also offered. You can search and bookmark any template in Research A-Z.

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    Education & U-MIC

    The goal of IRBMED’s Education Program is to meet the ongoing educational needs of the research community. In addition to in-person classroom education on an assortment of relevant topics, IRBMED also offers multimedia presentations (U-MIC), which are short videos and voiceover slide shows that address topics relating both to ethics in human subjects research and to IRB procedures.

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    Information for IRB Members

    Members of the boards complete assigned reviews of submissions, and access materials for Convened meetings, through the eResearch(link is external) Regulatory Management (eRRM) portal.

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    Information for Study Subjects

    The IRBMED protects the rights and welfare of participants in clinical trials and other human subjects research studies by careful review and monitoring of research per applicable laws, regulations, and University policies.

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    Contact Us
    Institutional Review Boards (IRBMED)
    Room 3214
    North Campus Research Complex, Building 520
    2800 Plymouth Road
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800
    Phone: 734-763-4768
    About Us
    Institutional Review Boards (IRBMED) is a unit of the Medical School Office of Research, where our mission is to foster an environment of innovation and efficiency that serves the Michigan Medicine research community and supports biomedical science from insight to impact.
    We're Accredited

    IRBMED has full accreditation by they Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc.

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    Upcoming Research Events All Office of Research Events
    Federal and Institutional Requirements for Human Subject Research
    This course will introduce the basics of conducting human subject research in compliance with federal regulations and institutional practices.
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    Elements of Informed Consent
    This course offers an overview of informed consent in human subject research. The course will examine IRBMED’s standard consent template and focus on how it reflects federal requirements.
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    Introduction to eResearch
    This course is intended for those unfamiliar with eResearch, the university’s electronic research administration site. This course will provide a basic knowledge of working in and using eResearch while examining the process for creating and submitting an initial project application.
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    Advanced Genomics and Bioinformatics Cores Holiday Open House
    Join us at our Holiday Open House event, where innovation meets expertise! This is an opportunity for researchers to explore our cutting-edge facilities and discover the exciting advancements in Single Cell, Spatial, and Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies.
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    Waivers, Alterations, and Alternative Forms of Informed Consent
    This course offers an overview of some special situations relating to informed consent. Specifically, waivers and alterations of informed consent, waivers of documentation of informed consent, and obtaining consent from non-English speakers.
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    Research Operations, Management & Strategy (ROMS) Fellowship Information Session
    The Research Operations, Management & Strategy (ROMS) Fellowship sponsored by the UMMS Office of Research is now recruiting for the 2025-2027 cohort and is hosting an upcoming information session about the program.
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    Reporting AEs, ORIOs, and Unanticipated Problems
    This course will identify what constitutes an Adverse Event, ORIO, and Unanticipated Problem and how such events impact risk to subjects. Additionally, the course will review the requirements of reporting such events to the IRB and other entities.
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    Amendments and Continuing Reviews
    This course is a follow-up to Initial Project Applications and will examine the process for submitting amendments and scheduled continuing reviews to IRBMED using eResearch once a project’s initial application has been approved.
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    Data and Safety Monitoring Boards and Data Safety Monitoring Plans
    This course will review when studies are required to have a DSMP or DSMB and how to develop an appropriate DSMP. A DSMB is an independent group that advises the study team regarding subject safety, study conduct, and efficacy. The DSMB will also make recommendations concerning the continuation, modification, or termination of the trial. A DSMP outlines how subject safety and data integrity will be maintained to ensure the validity of collected data.
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    Featured Research News All Office of Research News Photo of a person holding a floating graphic of a targed with an arrow in the bullseye
    Office of Research
    Request for Applications for Assistant Dean for Clinical Research
    The Medical School Office of Research is seeking applications for a faculty leader to serve as an Assistant Dean for Clinical Research.
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    Office of Research
    BRCF 2024 Holiday Core Closures
    In observance of university holidays (Thanksgiving and Winter Break), several cores will have a change in operations.
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    Office of Research
    Aikens Innovation Academy Now Accepting Applications
    The Aikens Innovation Academy is a project-based course offering mentorship and funding for academics with cardiovascular innovations.