Institutional Review Board (IRB)

All research involving human subjects must be reviewed. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) has been established for the protection and safety of human subjects and to review on going and proposed research. The University IRB meets monthly during the academic year, while departmental or college human subject review committees meet on a scheduled or as needed basis. The Institutional Review Board and Fort Hays State University researchers follow the ethical principles laid out by the Belmont Report and include respect for persons, beneficence and justice. Fort Hays State University’s Institutional Review Board also subscribes to the "Common Rule" for the protection of human subjects found in 45 CFR 46. The FHSU IRB reviews and approves all non-exempt research protocols involving human subjects so that the university and individual researchers comply with laws and national standards regarding the ethical treatment of human subjects. The researcher must attain IRB approval before research involving human subjects is conducted. Refer to the FHSU IRB Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research.

Studies for exempt, expedited or full review must be submitted electronically through IRBNet. IRBNet is the electronic submission, management, and administration program for Fort Hays State University's Human Departmental Subjects/Ethics Committees and the University Institutional Review Board. It must be utilized for the submission of new and continuing applications packages for all types of review (i.e., exempt, expedited and full review). New protocols, revisions, continuations, modifications, final reports, etc. will not be accepted on paper or by e-mail. Follow the instructions below.

DO NOT REQUEST A DEMO VIA IRBNet; this is not a training application and does not pertain to your proposal! If you have any questions, or would like to schedule in-person training, please contact the Office of Scholarship and Sponsored Projects, at 785-628-4349.

Instructions for new user registration
New User Registration Slideshow	Use with the new user registration Instructions
Create a New Study slide show	For faculty and student researchers
Instructions for FHSU students	Includes helpful information for faculty supervising student research
Instructions for FHSU faculty and staff researchers
Instructions for Chairs (Departmental or Departmental Review Committees)
Instructions for researchers not affiliated with FHSU
Instructions for Modifications	The study has been reviewed but the IRB requires modifications prior to approval
Instructions for Revisions	The researcher requests revisions to a study that has been approved
Instructions for Continuing Review and Final Reports	The researcher has completed the study or is requesting approval to continue the research after the expiration date. Researchers will be notified of upcoming expiration dates. Follow these instructions to close the study or to request a continuing review. The IRB can approve studies for up to 1 year. Researchers must request a Continuing Review if the research activities; will continue after the expiration date. Use this form; if the only change is an extension of the expiration date. Follow the instructions for revisions for all other changes.

Click here to Register for IRB Workshops sponsored by the Office of Scholarship and Sponsored Projects!

IRB Deadlines and Meeting Dates

Deadline for Submissions	IRB Meeting Date
11/22/10	12/02/10
01/10/11	01/20/11
02/07/11	02/17/11
02/28/11	03/10/11
03/28/11	04/07/11
04/25/11	05/05/11

Other Items of Interest

Department of Health and Human Services Office for Human Research Protections

NEW - Educational Videos from the Office for Human Research Protections! Topics include informed consent, unanticipated problems, adverse events and more!

The Belmont Report

NIH Protecting Human Subjects Training (free, and self-paced) - Some departments require students to attach the completion certificate to the proposal

IRB FAQ