UCI as the Relying IRB

Current UCI policy requires that all faculty, staff, and students must have UCI IRB approval before they begin research with human subjects. This requirement applies regardless of the source of funding and even when no funds are involved, regardless of the site of the study activities.

UCI will consider relying on another institution for IRB review on a protocol by protocol basis when a UCI investigator is engaged in human subjects research with a non-UC investigator and:

• The non-UCI investigator is the prime recipient of the funding award, or
• The PI of the study is affiliated with the Reviewing IRB’s institution, or
• The research will primarily take place at the Reviewing IRB’s institution, or
• The other institution’s reviewing IRB is more properly constituted to review a certain scope or topic of work, or may have knowledge of the local research context, and
• The UCI investigators will conduct human research activities that involve no more than minimal risk to subjects, and
• The other institution is located within the United States.

To facilitate human research and in response to requests by investigators for a more streamlined IRB review process UCI allows for researchers to request that UCI rely on a non-UCI IRB.  This may be indicated through the UCI IRB Application process. Include a copy of the approved study documents from the Reviewing IRB. The UCI IRB will then make a determination as to whether it is appropriate to defer to another IRB, and will notify the investigator of the decision. Note: accepting the review of another IRB does not eliminate the UCI investigator’s responsibility to seek approval from other applicable UCI regulatory entities (e.g., Institutional Biosafety Committee, Radiation Safety Committee, and Human Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee). Please contact the HRP staff for more information.