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Protection of Human Subjects

IRB (Institutional Review Board)

UHCL's institutional review board (IRB) is comprised of members from each of the four colleges and includes alternates in case the primary member is not present. Other members include external and non-research individuals. The UHCL IRB is organized and operated in accordance with the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations and under Federalwide Assurance No. 00004068.

The protections apply to studies conducted internally by faculty or staff and to external studies conducted by grantees and contractors. UHCL adheres to the principles outlined in the Nuremberg Code, Belmont Report, and the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki.  


Beginning September 1, 2024, we will no longer accept IRB applications via email. All applications, amendments, and renewals will need to be submitted via Cayuse after this date.

Want a sneak peek? Contact sponsoredprograms@uhcl.edu for access to the training environment.


Submission Instructions

Pre-Cayuse Procedures
  1. Complete or renew your Social-Behavioral-Educational Researchers CITI Training
  2. Develop instruments and gather other required attachments
  3. Fill out an application
  4. Email completed application, CITI certificates for all investigators, and instruments/attachments to sponsoredprograms@uhcl.edu
Making Changes to Pre-Cayuse Protocols

Extending the End Date

Use our two-question survey to determine the best course of action when you need to extend the end date of your study protocol.

Amendments - Adding Researchers or Updating Forms

To add UHCL researchers, submit an updated application with changes highlighted along with the researchers' CITI certificates to sponsoredprograms@uhcl.edu. Be sure to reference the protocol number given in the decision letter.

To add non-UHCL researchers, ask your colleague to get in touch with their institution's IRB office. ORSP will need to coordinate with the other institution to establish permissions on both sides, usually with a reliance agreement (also known as IAA). 
All researchers need to have current CITI training certificates for working with human subjects (Social-Behavioral-Educational Researchers). See Required Training below for more information.

To update your consent forms or recruitment materials, submit the updated application and forms with changes highlighted to sponsoredprograms@uhcl.edu. Be sure to reference the protocol number given in the decision letter.

Continuing Review for Expiring Protocols

Continuing Review/Study Status Form (DOCX) - Submit this form to sponsoredprograms@uhcl.edu along with all updated application materials when renewing your IRB protocol.

Resources

Required Training

Complete "Social-Behavioral-Educational Researchers" course on the CITI website every three (3) years. Make sure your primary email in CITI is your UHCL email.

Register for the CITI course: Step-by-step with screenshots (PDF)

Transferring your CITI training in to UHCL from a different university? Follow these steps:

  • Log into your CITI account. If you can't remember your user name and password, contact CITI.
  • You must be affiliated with both institutions (your prior institution and UHCL).
  • The CITI Program website Main Menu page will have a section called "My Learner Tools" for your prior institution.
  • Follow the "Click here to affiliate with another institution" link to add an affiliation.
  • Type and select "University of Houston-Clear Lake" and click "Next".
  • Once you have affiliated with both institutions, on the Main Menu page under University of Houston-Clear Lake select "Add a Course or Update Learner Groups".
  • Enroll in the UHCL Social-Behavioral-Educational Researcher course.
  • You will need to enroll in the same stage of the course (Basic/Refresher) for a proper transfer to occur.
  • Once you are enrolled in the UHCL course, any modules that are shared between the two institutions' courses will have their credit transferred automatically.
  • The researcher is responsible for completing any UHCL modules that were not completed by the transfer of credits.
Sample Informed Consent/Assent Forms

Adult Participant Consent

Online Survey Consent

  • Online Survey Instructions
    • This document provides instructions regarding online surveys and what types of information to include in the IRB application and informed-informational research document.
  • Informed-Informational Research Document
    • This form is used for projects that have requested and received IRB waiver for documentation of informed consent. Participants' signatures are not required.

Working with Minors (Non-Educational Settings)

Working with Minors (Educational Settings)

En Español

Serve on the IRB Committee

Interested in serving?

  1. Complete the CITI Training for IRB Committee Members
  2. Request to join
    1. Faculty - contact your dean
    2. Staff & Community members - contact the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at sponsoredprograms@uhcl.edu

 

Full Text of Official Procedures

Update expected Summer 2024

2023 Federal and University Guidelines (PDF)

 

Contact

  • Sponsored Programs

    sponsoredprograms@uhcl.edu
    Phone: 281-283-3015
    Fax: 281-283-2143

    Bayou Building, 2531
    2700 Bay Area Blvd, Box 44
    Houston, TX 77058-1002