When to Submit

An IRB protocol should be submitted to irb@richmond.edu for any research project involving the study of human subjects. Researchers can submit their projects for review at any time, but prior to actually starting the research.

Expedited Review

The majority of research studies can be reviewed through an "expedited review." Such reviews are conducted each week during the Fall and Spring semester, and generally require one week or longer, depending on staff availability and workload.

Convened Board Review

Researchers submitting protocols that will require review by the convened board (studies posing risk to participants, for example) should email their protocol documents to irb@richmond.edu no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday preceding a scheduled meeting. See the 2022-2023 schedule below for the dates and times of meetings.

Limited Review

Some projects that involve human participants, such as projects designed for educational purposes rather than research purposes, can be reviewed through "limited review." Such reviews are conducted each week during the Fall and Spring semester, and generally require one week or longer, depending on staff availability and workload.

Investigators who require IRB review during the summer should contact the IRB office directly.

Academic Year 2024-2025 IRB Meetings and Deadlines

IRB Meeting Date

Protocol Due to IRB Date

September 10, 2024 September 3, 2024
October 15, 2024 October 8, 2024
November 12, 2024 November 5, 2024
December 10, 2024 December 3, 2024
January 21, 2025 January 14, 2025
February 18, 2025 February 11, 2025
March 25, 2025 March 18, 2025
April 15, 2025 April 8, 2025
May 2025  TBA May 2025  TBA

Please note that protocols are generally reviewed in the order in which they are received. Researchers conducting studies requiring review by the convened IRB who submit early are very likely to have their protocol reviewed at the IRB's meeting. Proposed studies submitted shortly before or after the deadline may end up at the end of the meeting agenda and run the risk of being deferred until a later meeting. Protocols that are submitted after the deadline may not be reviewed until the next scheduled meeting of the IRB.