How long does it take the IRB to review a proposal?
The IRB is committed to making quick decisions. In most cases, a decision will be returned (via electronic mail) to the investigators within 3 working days (weekends and holidays are excluded). Proposals submitted during summer months and proposals submitted on paper rather than electronically generally require a longer review time. Additionally, if members of the IRB have questions for the researchers, then the review time may be lengthened. Although the IRB has been successful in meeting the goal of 3 working days, there is no guarantee. Therefore, investigators should plan ahead and submit IRB proposals early in order to ensure an early initiation of approved projects.
Related Questions
- If I obtain all the data from collaborators, do I need to obtain IRB review of my initial (new) research proposal and reviews of ongoing research?
- Does Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval need to be approved at the time of proposal submission or can it just be submitted?
- Is it ethical for an IRB to charge a potential sponsor a fee for the review of a research proposal?
