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If you are new to IRBNet, please register for a user account at gov.irbnet.org. Registration instructions can be found here. Additional training resources are also available on the VAIRRS SharePoint portal.
For questions, please contact us at VAIRRS@va.gov.
Additional information can be found on VAIRRS.
VA Central IRB Forms and Process Updates
Update as of October 25, 2023
Over the past 4 months the VA Central IRB has updated all submission forms. All of our new forms are now posted in the VA Central IRB IRBNet Forms and Templates library. As a reminder please continue to always download VA Central IRB forms directly from IRBNet Forms and Templates library (VA Central IRB Administration, Washington, DC – Documents for Researchers) when they are needed to ensure the current version is being used and submitted with a package. Please see below for a detailed description of recent forms and process changes.
Continuing Review Forms
New Continuing Review Forms were released on June 14, 2023. Prior to using these new forms, please read the Summary of Changes – PI and LSI Continuing Review. For additional information regarding these changes, you may also refer to the VAIRRS Webinar from June 13, 2023 titled “CIRB Continuing Review Process and Form Changes.” If there are any questions or if assistance is needed while compiling a Continuing Review submission, please contact Mary Eckart mary.eckart@va.gov or Mikaela Myers mikaela.myers@va.gov for support.
Post Approval Submission Forms
New Post Approval Submission Forms were released on June 28, 2023. Prior to using these new forms, please read the Summary of Changes – Post Approval Submission Forms for a detailed list of form changes. For additional information regarding these changes, you may also refer to the VAIRRS Webinar from June 27, 2023 titled “CIRB Process and Form Changes.”
New Project Forms
New Project Submission Forms were released on October 25, 2023. Prior to using these new forms, please read the Summary of Changes – CIRB New Project Forms for a detailed list of forms and process changes. For additional information regarding these changes, you may also refer to the VAIRRS Webinar from October 24, 2023 titled “CIRB Forms and Process Updates.” All New Project Submission Forms must be used by January 2, 2024.
If there are any questions or if submission assistance is needed, please contact the CIRB Manager responsible for your project, a CIRB Administrator or the VA Central IRB general mailbox at VACentralIRB@va.gov for support.
Purpose: The purpose of the VA Central IRB is two-fold. First and foremost its purpose is to enhance the quality of human research protection in multi-site human research projects by performing appropriate ethical and scientific review while ensuring local issues are addressed. In this role, the VA Central IRB also provides the single IRB oversight required for multi-site studies by the 2018 Common Rule. The second is to enhance the efficiency of these reviews across participating sites.
VA Facilities: Each VA facility that plans to use the VA Central IRB must add the VA Central IRB to its Federalwide Assurance (FWA) and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the VHA Central Office (VHACO) Human Research Protection Program (HRPP). The MOU clearly delineates the respective roles and responsibilities of each entity. The local VA has ultimate and immediate responsibility for its HRPP. Instructions for adding the VA Central IRB as an IRB of Record are also included on this website, as are the VA Central IRB SOPs and forms.
In addition, any affiliated Nonprofit Research and Education Corporation (NPC) for a VA site that has entered into an MOU with the VHACO HRPP, should also sign the MOU and update its FWA to add the VA Central IRB as an IRB of Record.
VA Investigators: Investigators whose studies are being funded by VA ORD should consult the ORD funding service to determine whether their study should be submitted to the VA Central IRB. Investigators who are new to the VA CIRB and whose studies will be reviewed by the VA Central IRB should contact the VA Central IRB mailbox (vacentralirb@va.gov), as far in advance of the planned submission as possible to request an introductory meeting and pre-submission consultation in order to submit the most likely application for approval. Information concerning the operations of the VA Central IRB can also be found on this website under the Important Links box on the right-hand side of this page.