Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research (IRB)

At UNH, the primary purpose of the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research (IRB) is to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects by ensuring that physical, psychological, legal, and/or social risks to subjects are minimized, and when present, justified by the importance of the research, and agreed to by subjects (informed consent).

Secondly, the IRB seeks to protect UNH and researchers from possible adverse consequences of research with human subjects, by assisting researcher with the design of their studies so they comply with federal regulations and UNH requirements.

The UNH IRB:

  • Reviews all research studies involving human subjects,
  • Reviews and addresses concerns involving the use of human subjects in research,
  • Advises faculty, staff and students on the ethical conduct of research involving people,
  • Conducts appropriate reviews of the University's program and develops guidelines to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations,
  • Participates in developing, reviewing, and providing educational opportunities for the UNH community on the use and protection of human subjects in research, and
  • Serves in an advisory capacity to the Senior Vice Provost for Research.

Click here for a roster of IRB members.