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IRB Information

The Northwestern University IRB directs the Northwestern University Human Participant Protection Program (HRPP) and is responsible for protecting the rights and welfare of human research participants. Key information about the Northwestern HRPP, qualifications of the Northwestern IRB Office, and various state laws to consider when reviewing the Northwestern site are available here: Northwestern Local Context Information . 

Panels & Rosters

The Northwestern IRB Office supports 6 IRB panels comprised of over 80 members from within the University, our affiliates, and the community.  Of the 6 IRB panels, 5 meet monthly and 1 meets weekly. For more information and our panel meeting schedule please see our dedicated Panels & Rosters webpage.

Become an IRB Member

The IRB Office accepts nominations and applications for faculty, staff, and community member service on our panels. For more information see our dedicated Become an IRB Member webpage.

AAHRPP Accreditation

The Northwestern IRB received initial accreditation on December 19, 2016. Full re-accreditation was received on December 16, 2019. For more information see our dedicated AAHRPP Accreditation webpage.

Other Information

FWA and IRB Registration

Northwestern filed a Federalwide Assurance (FWA) with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), in which we promise to uphold federal regulations and ethical principles for human subjects research conducted by employees, agents, and affiliates of NU.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) require IRBs to register through a system maintained by DHHS.

Statements of Compliance

Good Clinical Practice (GCP) is an international ethical and scientific quality standard for the design, conduct, performance, monitoring, auditing, recording, analyses and reporting of clinical trials. GCP provides assurance that the data and reported results are credible and accurate, and that the rights, integrity and confidentiality of trial subjects are respected and protected. 21 CFR Part 11 is the FDA guideline that defines the criteria under which electronic records and electronic signatures are considered to be trustworthy, reliable and equivalent to that of the paper records.