IRB Application Review Process

Ask the IRB by emailing research.integrity@unh.edu

Visit our drop-in Zoom IRB office hours

New Applications  

UNH faculty, staff, and students who plan to conduct research involving human subjects must submit applications to the IRB prior to commencing the study.   Applicants must receive written, unconditional IRB approval before starting their study. Applications must be submitted to the IRB for review via
Cayuse IRB/Human Ethics.

The IRB, not the researcher, determines the review level. Studies qualifying for Exempt or Expedited level review are reviewed by the IRB as they are received, usually within two (2) weeks (allow 3 weeks during semester breaks). See this flow chart depicting the IRB application review process.

The IRB meets twice a month during the academic year and once each month during the summer to review studies qualifying for Full Board review. Studies requiring Full Board level review must be submitted according to the posted IRB schedule. Upon receipt by RIS staff, applications are placed on the agenda for the next scheduled IRB meeting.  Applications are reviewed on a first come, first served basis; if too many applications are received for review at a specific IRB meeting, the review of those received latest may be postponed until the following IRB meeting.  Researchers who plan to conduct studies requiring Full Board review should submit applications to the IRB at least 4 weeks prior to the anticipated start date (allow 8 weeks in the summer).  Studies qualifying for Exempt or Expedited level are forwarded upon receipt to IRB members for review.  Initial Exempt or Expedited level review generally takes 10 working days during the semester, and 15 working days during the winter break and summer.

Changes/Modifications to Previously Approved Applications

Changes/modifications to an IRB-approved study must be reviewed and approved by the IRB PRIOR to implementation.   Starting June 1, modifications to studies must be submitted to the IRB for review via Cayuse IRB/Human Ethics.  Please read the information about modifying existing (legacy) studies (studies that were approved by the UNH IRB prior to June 1, 2021) before submitting a modification.  Requests for modifications are reviewed at the same level as the original study, i.e., Full Board modifications are reviewed by the IRB at a convened meeting.

View Human Subjects Knowledge Base

The Knowledge Base contains forms, instruction and training material, policies, guidance, tools, and other resources to support your research efforts by topic area.


Contact Information

Melissa McGee, Assistant Director
Research Integrity Services
Service Building Room 107
51 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-2005
Email: melissa.mcgee@unh.edu

Susan Jalbert, Compliance Officer
Research Integrity Services
Service Building Room 107
51 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-3536
Email: susan.jalbert@unh.edu

Julie Simpson, Director
Research Integrity Services
Service Building Room 107
51 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-2003
Email: julie.simpson@unh.edu