AAHRPP Accreditation
The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc. (AAHRPP) is a non-profit accrediting body that uses a voluntary, educational model to ensure that human research programs meet rigorous standards for quality and protection. AAHRPP accreditation is the "gold standard” of quality for human research protection programs in the U.S.
Accredited organizations must renew AAHRPP accreditation three years after initial accreditation, and every five years thereafter.
As an AAHRPP-accredited organization, Northwestern University’s Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) demonstrated to AAHRPP that our protections exceed the safeguards required by the international guidelines and laws governing human research, and our ongoing commitment to improve the quality of research and the protection of research participants.
Northwestern University HRPP’s AAHRPP Accreditation
Northwestern’s human research protection program achieved initial AAHRPP accreditation on December 19, 2016, and received full AAHRPP reaccreditation on December 15, 2019, and December 19, 2024.
Areas of Distinction identified by AAHRPP:
- Community Engagement and Accessibility Initiatives: The HRPP supports diverse activities to engage and educate research participants and communities, such as the Fostering Accessibility and Inclusion in Research (FAIR) initiative, Community Engagement Coordination Council, and partnerships like the Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities (CCH) . These programs promote inclusivity and accessibility in research.
- Comprehensive Education Programs: Robust training is offered to IRB staff, members, and researchers through initiatives like IRB Staff Training and Onboarding Program (I-STOP), IRB Program for Onboarding and Education of Members (I-POEM), and Navigating Human Research & Regulatory Review with the IRB through MyHR Learn, ensuring all HRPP community members are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to protect research participants.
- Responsive and Collaborative IRB Practices: The IRB is recognized for its proactive communication, responsiveness, and integration within the HRPP. IRB staff are trusted resources, regularly soliciting and acting on feedback to improve processes.
- Streamlined Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM): Northwestern's innovative use of PAM checklists empowers researchers to self-assess compliance, reducing administrative burden while improving efficiency. This approach has facilitated faster closure of minimal-risk projects and allowed compliance staff to focus on strategic priorities, such as developing the eIRB+ Compliance Workspace.
AAHRPP's Mission
AAHRPP accredits high-quality human research protection programs to promote excellent, ethically sound research. AAHRPP-accredited organizations share innovative practices and collect data to help establish benchmarks and assess quality improvement. AAHRPP compiles and distributes these data to aid organizations, sponsors, government agencies, and participants in identifying and promoting high-quality practices.
Through partnerships with research organizations, researchers, sponsors, and the public, AAHRPP encourages effective, efficient, and innovative systems of protection for human research participants.
What are the benefits of AAHRPP accreditation?
- Improved regulatory compliance through an independent review of our strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement
- Results in a more cohesive HRPP with the systems in place to protect research participants and advance research more efficiently and effectively
- Sponsors and other funding agencies recognize accredited organizations have more efficient operations, provide more comprehensive protections, and produce high-quality data
- Enhance standing with U.S. federal agencies
- Uphold high ethical standards and trust by research participants and researchers
- Demonstrates and encourages a culture of continuous quality improvement
Who is accredited?
Research organizations, hospitals, independent Ethics Committees/Institutional Review Boards, research institutes, sponsors, universities, and government agencies including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), and State Departments of Health.
As of 2025, about 250 organizations currently have AAHRPP Accreditation. Find more information about AAHRPP-Accredited organizations on AAHRPP’s Find an Accredited Organization page.
AAHRPP Resources: