Human Subjects Research at Cal Poly
Research Project Review
To ensure Cal Poly's commitment to protect human subjects in research, the University's Institutional Review Board (IRB) evaluates research projects for compliance with ethical standards regarding the treatment of human subjects.
IRB Submissions for New Projects
The Cal Poly Institutional Review Board (IRB) uses an online system, IRBManager, to receive and review all documentation related to human subjects research. Information and instructions on how to use the system are in the section on The Review Process in the Procedures and Guidelines for Human Subjects Research.
Accessibility issues? If you have accessibility issues with the online system, please contact Trish Brock at (805) 756-1450, for assistance.
IRB Submissions for Modifications, Continuing Reviews, and Reportable Events
For projects with active approvals, please access the project dashboard on IRBManager to submit requests. Information and instructions on how to use the system are in the section on The Review Process in the Procedures and Guidelines for Human Subjects Research.
On January 21, 2019, new Federal regulations regarding human subjects research were implemented. All projects approved on or after January 21, 2019, must comply with the new regulations. Projects approved prior to January 21, 2019 with active approvals are considered ongoing projects and no adjustments are needed to the approved protocols or related documents, such as consent forms.
Projects approved prior to January 21, 2019, with expired approvals, will have to be submitted as new projects and must comply with the new regulations. If you are submitting an extension request or a modification request for a project previously approved via the paper-based system or the IRBManager system, AND that project has an expired approval, you will have to create a new submission in IRBManager.
Changes to Cal Poly Policy and Procedures for Human Subjects Research
Effective January 2019, the Cal Poly Institutional Review Board (IRB) has revised the Cal Poly Procedures and Guidelines for Human Subjects Research for compliance with the Federal Regulations enacted in 2018, with an effective date of January 21, 2019. Please refer to this document in preparing your submission to the IRB and related documents, such as protocols and consent forms.
Does your project need to be reviewed by the Cal Poly IRB?
To assist with determining whether or not your project is required to be reviewed by the Cal Poly Institutional Review Board, please review the Human Subjects Research Decision Chart (pdf).
Do you have a new project? A renewal? Modifications?
If you're not sure what to do first, take a look at our START HERE page. It provides quick links with answers to common questions and problems that might arise before and during the approval process.