Human Subjects Research
General Information
Visit the Human Subjects Division (HSD) website for information about all aspects of human subjects research. Executive Order No. 24 is the general UW policy about human subjects research.
Web-based Institutional Review Board (IRB) application system
The UW uses a web-based system called Zipline for IRB applications and for requesting HSD determinations (such as “not human subjects research” determinations). A UW NetID is required to use Zipline, and new users must register with the system. The Zipline Online Help Library has online tutorials and detailed instruction documents.
How to obtain help
Help email
The general help email address is hsdinfo@uw.edu. It is monitored Monday through Friday during business hours.
Review team contacts
HSD has four review staff teams, each of which supports one of the UW’s four IRB committees, and one staff team that specializes in IRB reliance and Single IRB arrangements. Each department and academic unit is associated with a specific team and IRB. Visit Contacts to find your team and email contact (each team has an email address such as hsdteama@uw.edu).
HSD main office phone
You may also call the main office at 206-543-0098 to leave a voicemail and someone from HSD will contact you.
Study setup issues and activities may include:
Do you need IRB approval?
Some activities that you may consider to be human subjects research do not meet the regulatory definition of “human subjects research” – and vice versa. If you are not sure whether your planned research is “regulated human subjects research”, read this guidance. It is important to start at the beginning of the guidance and work your way through the issues in the order they are presented. Otherwise, you may come to an inaccurate conclusion.
Which IRB?
Most UW human subjects research is reviewed by the UW IRB. Exceptions:
- Most UW industry-initiated studies are reviewed by WCG IRB or Advarra instead of the UW IRB
- Most UW oncology studies that are greater than minimal risk are reviewed by the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center instead of the UW IRB
- NIH funded, multi-site studies may be reviewed by another IRB
Read this summary guidance for basic information.
Multi-site or collaborative research
Sponsors are increasingly likely to require the involved institutions to rely upon a single IRB. These arrangements may require HSD to establish IRB reliance agreements with the other institutions.
Obtain IRB approval or an exempt determination…
before conducting any human subjects research or spending any research funding on such activities. Use the IRB Protocol form. Explanatory information and guidance is provided with each question.
Certificate of Confidentiality
A federal certificate of confidentiality allows researchers to refuse to disclose name or any information, documents or biospecimens containing identifiable information about the research subjects. Review Certificate of Confidentiality guidance.
Obtaining research consent
The UW IRB provides guidance, templates, and examples to assist researchers with designing the consent process and form.
Injury compensation
The UW has a discretionary compensation program to provide treatment for subjects who experience a medical injury or adverse event that is research-related.
Data and Safety Monitoring Plan (DSMP)
A DSMP is required by many sponsors and/or the IRB, especially if your study involves possible physical risks of harm to your subjects (for example, side effects from a study drug).
Register clinical trials
Studies that meet the definition of “clinical trial” must register at ClinicalTrials.gov. Read this guidance for more information. Registration must occur within 21 days after the first subject is enrolled, but can occur earlier if the study design and study protocol have been established.