How to Join an Institutional Review Board (IRB)*

Purpose of an IRB

• To review and approve research procedures in order to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects if they are involved¹

Some steps to take

• Contact the appropriate department at a Hospital, University, Medical Center, or Research Institute (e.g. Research Administration, Human Research Protection Program, Human Subjects Research Office, or Institutional Review Board Office)

• Ask who you could talk to about joining a particular IRB (e.g. human subjects may or may not be involved in the research)

• You may be asked for a Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume to help them evaluate your academic or work experience

• Additional steps may be required (e.g. submitting work references, interviewing, and taking additional training)

Sources:

¹http://obssr.od.nih.gov/NR/rdonlyres/30DE5C72-6044-47C4-8FEE-99CD24801DF7/0/WhatIs.doc

^{*Steps may vary by institution}