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. Faculty and student researchers should review policies.

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 (http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/guidance/45cfr46.htm).

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.

We have moved to electronic submission of IRB protocols.

Studies for exempt, expedited or full review must be submitted electronically through IRBNet as of April 14, 2009. 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 as of this date for review.

Go to www.irbnet.org and begin the simple process of registering with IRBNet by clicking on 'New User registration', in the top right corner. Then start creating your studies!

Instructions for new user registration

Instructions for FHSU students

Instruction for FHSU faculty and staff researchers

Instructions for Chairs (Departmental or Departmental Review Committee)

Instructions for Researchers not affiliated with FHSU

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.