NIH Single IRB Policy for Multi-site Research

For applications with due dates on or after January 25, 2018, NIH expects that all sites participating in multi-site studies, which involve non-exempt human subjects research funded by the NIH, will use a single Institutional Review Board (sIRB) to conduct the ethical review required for the protection of human subjects.

This policy applies to the domestic sites of NIH-funded multi-site studies where each site will conduct the same protocol involving non-exempt human subjects research. It does not apply to career development, research training or fellowship awards.

Applicants will be expected to include a plan for the use of a sIRB in the grant applications and contract proposals they submit to the NIH for due dates on or after January 25, 2018.

To learn more about the NIH Single IRB Policy, see grants.nih.gov/policy/clinical-trials/single-irb-policy-multi-site-research.htm.

View a slide presentation by the UNC IRB on the implementation of the new NIH Single IRB Policy at UNC.

To learn about the UNC IRB's policy on single IRB review, view the pdf.