Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The University of Akron Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRB) is an administrative body established to protect the rights and welfare of individuals recruited for participation in research conducted under the auspices of the university or its affiliates. Its mission is to advance an organizational culture and infrastructure that supports the highest ethical standards in the review and implementation of research with human participants. The University of Akron gives the IRB ultimate authority for approval of research with human participants.

Submitting an Application to the IRB

IRB applications may be submitted at any time to the Office of Research Administration, Polsky Building Suite 284, Mail Zip +2102.  Many IRB applications can be approved through exempt or expedited review and will not require a presentation to the full board.  IRB applications eligible for exempt or expedited review may be submitted any time and will be reviewed as they are received. The process for exempt and expedited review and approval takes about two to three weeks. In general, the more complete the initial proposal, the less time it takes for approval.  Applicants should retain a copy for their own records. 

IRB Meeting Schedule and Application Deadlines

IRB meetings are held, if needed, approximately two weeks after the deadline.  For the Fall 2018 semester, the IRB will meet on the dates indicated below, at 10:00 a.m.  All IRB meetings are held in the ORA Conference Room (285-C) located within Suite 284 of the Polsky Building.

IRB Resources

• IRB Members 2018-2019
• University of Akron IRB Guidelines
• IRB Forms
• Federal Regulations and Guidance
• DHHS Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) - 45 CFR 46
• OHRP Human Subjects Decision Trees
• NIH Certificates of Confidentiality Kiosk
• The Belmont Report - Ethical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects in research