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Become an IRB Member

The Northwestern University Institutional Review Board (IRB) Office welcomes applications and nominations from faculty, staff, clinicians, researchers, and community member interested in serving on an IRB panel.

IRB members play an essential role in protecting the rights, safety, and welfare of research participants by reviewing human research studies and contributing to ethical research oversight. We welcome individuals with diverse professional backgrounds and perspectives, including scientific, clinical, regulatory, community, and non-scientific expertise.

Apply to Become an IRB Member

If you are interested in being considered for IRB service, please complete the IRB Member Application.

The application includes:

  • Contact and professional information
  • Areas of expertise and interest
  • A brief statement of interest
  • Uploads for a curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé

Questions about IRB panel service may be directed to the IRB Office at irb@northwestern.edu.

Nominate a Candidate

Know someone who would make an excellent IRB panel member? We welcome nominations from faculty, staff, and the research community.

To nominate a candidate, please email irb@northwestern.edu with the nominee's name, affiliation, and a brief explanation of why you are recommending them. The IRB Office will contact the nominee regarding the application process.

Thank you for your interest in supporting the ethical conduct of human research at Northwestern University.

IRB Panels

The Northwestern University IRB Office supports seven Institutional Review Board (IRB) Panels:

Six Biomedical IRB Panels (Panels A, B, C, D, M, and Q)

One Social Behavioral IRB Panel (Panel E)

Panel Member Service

IRB panel members are generally appointed to three-year terms. Most panels meet once per month, while Panel Q meets weekly and primarily reviews Continuing Review submissions.

The IRB Office provides panel members with initial onboarding and orientation, ongoing education and training, and continuing education opportunities for eligible educational activities.

Diversity of Membership

Effective ethical review depends on a variety of perspectives and experiences. Northwestern University values diverse scientific and non-scientific expertise, professional backgrounds, lived experiences, and community representation among its IRB members. This helps ensure that research is evaluated thoughtfully and from multiple viewpoints to protect the rights and welfare of research participants.

Panel Member Responsibilities

IRB panel members are expected to prepare for and actively participate in their assigned meetings. The time commitment for panel service varies by panel and may depend on meeting frequency, the number and complexity of submissions under review, and individual review assignments. Most panels meet monthly, and preparation typically requires several hours each month. The initial onboarding and orientation period requires additional time as new members become familiar with the IRB review process, systems, and expectations. Questions about the time commitment or what to expect on a particular panel may be directed to the IRB Office at irb@northwestern.edu.

Preparation time varies depending on the number and complexity of assigned submissions but typically requires several hours each month.

Responsibilities include:

  • Reviewing assigned materials before meetings
  • Serving as primary or secondary reviewer when assigned
  • Participating in meeting discussions
  • Voting when serving as a voting member
  • Disclosing and managing conflicts of interest
  • Maintaining confidentiality
  • Staying current on human research regulations and Northwestern University policies

Completing required education and ongoing training

Panel Schedule

Panel meeting dates can be accessed on the Panels & Rosters page.

IRB Panel Meeting Schedule

Panel

Schedule

Time (CT)

Focus

A

1st Friday monthly

2:00–5:00 p.m.

Biomedical

C

2nd Friday monthly

2:00–5:00 p.m.

Biomedical

D

3rd Thursday monthly

2:30–5:30 p.m.

Biomedical

B

4th Thursday monthly

2:00–5:00 p.m.

Biomedical

M

4th Friday monthly

1:00–4:00 p.m.

Biomedical

E

4th Friday monthly

2:00–4:00 p.m.

Social Behavioral

Q

Every Monday

11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

Biomedical (Continuing Review)