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 2025-2026 IRB Meetings and Deadlines
IRB Meeting Date |
Date Protocol Due to IRB |
| September 16, 2025 | September 9, 2025 |
| October 14, 2025 | October 7, 2025 |
| November 11, 2025 | November 4, 2025 |
| December 9, 2025 | December 2, 2025 |
| January 27, 2026 | January 20, 2026 |
| February 17, 2026 | February 10, 2026 |
| March 24, 2026 | March 17, 2026 |
| April 14, 2026 | April 7, 2026 |
| May 2026 TBA | May 2026 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.