The Office of Human Research Ethics (OHRE) is responsible for ethical and regulatory oversight of research at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that involves human subjects. OHRE supports and oversees the work of the Institutional Review Boards (IRBs).
News and updates
- June 4, 2013: Repeat presentation by OHRE Director, Dan Nelson: “Evolving Oversight for Multisite Research: Results of a Randomized, Controlled Trial of Central vs. Local IRB Review.” Thursday, June 13, 2013, 3:00-4:00 pm, Bondurant Hall G100. We recently conducted a novel pilot project to test reliance on any external IRB already involved with a multicenter clinical trial, and to gather data and experience to support a permanent policy decision at UNC. Click here for flyer.
- May 7, 2013: Unsubmitted online application drafts inactive for the past 9 months will be deleted May 23. If you DO NOT wish your draft to be deleted, make any edit and click the save button. Only unsubmitted drafts will be deleted, not previously approved submissions. Please direct questions or concerns to David Tegnell at the IRBIS Help Desk: 919-966-3685.
- April 18, 2013: When completing your IRB application, you may now alternatively satisfy a full-consent form requirement by indicating either that you have requested a waiver of consent entirely (at D.3), or a waiver of written consent (at D.2). To do so, at Application Consent Forms, click the relevant consent template to open the pop-up window and then check the appropriate check-box.
- April 17, 2013: The questions in the IRB application (section A.4.A; #s 4 and 5) relating to Investigational New Drug (IND) applications have been expanded and clarified. As a reminder, the IND Exemption Checklist is available at our website under Additional Forms, or by clicking here. Also, if you have questions regarding IND requirements or process, please call Amy Franklin, at TraCS Institute: 919-843-9514.
- January 23, 2013: Orientation sessions were held across campus in January 2013 to introduce changes to the online process for managing INFORMED CONSENT DOCUMENTS and other attachments. One of these sessions was videotaped, and is posted on this website under Online Submission Training.
Organizational Structure
The IRBs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are organized by area of expertise. The IRBs are:
- Biomedical IRB (Committees A through D) Reviews research involving School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, UNC Hospitals, and research in other units that involves biomedical interventions. Expertise is focused on medical, surgical, physiological or pharmacological studies. Includes research with drugs, devices, counseling, or other interventions. Studies that require dental expertise are reviewed by Biomedical Committee B.
- Non-Biomedical IRB (Committee E) A combination of the former Behavioral and Public Health-Nursing IRBs. Reviews research in psychology, child development, education, anthropology, information and library science, social work, journalism, and many other disciplines under Academic Affairs, as well as studies from the School of Public Health, School of Nursing, nursing-related studies at UNC Hospitals, non-medical research from the Injury Prevention Research Center, Carolina Population Center, Health Promotion Disease Prevention, and Sheps Center. Expertise is focused on research in behavioral and social sciences, the humanities, epidemiology and other research in a public health or nursing context.
For questions or comments
- General questions: by email, irb_questions@unc.edu,
or by phone, 919-966-3113. - Technical questions about online submission:
call David Tegnell at IRBIS Help Desk, 919-966-3685 - Check the status of your review: at irbis.unc.edu.
- IRB training requirements:
by email, irb_training@unc.edu.