Boston College Institutional Review Board

MISSION

The Boston College Institutional Review Board's (IRB) mission is to protect the rights and welfare of people who take part in research at Boston College. Federal regulations and University Policy require prospective review and approval of all human subject research conducted by faculty, staff, or students.  As with Boston College's Jesuit tradition of excellence, service and beneficence, the goal of the IRB is to ensure the safe and ethical treatment of research participants.

How do I get Information on the status of my application?
    Call (ORP) at (617)552-4778

Where do I find application forms?

Where do I find sample consent forms?

Who is on the IRB?


Office for Research Protections (ORP)

Waul House, 3rd Floor
Office Phone:  617-552-4778
Office fax:  617-552-0498
email:  irb@bc.edu

ORP Staff

Staff:  Carolyn O'Connor
email:  oconnatu@bc.edu

Staff:  Julie A. Cullinane
Email: aldenju@bc.edu

Staff:  Tammy Lopez
Email: lopezta@bc.edu

Director:  Christina Booth Steele
email:  bootheste@bc.edu

Interim Director:  Dr. Stephen Erickson
email: eriksst@bc.edu  

News


11/17/08, OSP is reviewing the various protocol-related forms with the intent of making minor edits where appropriate.  One key change needs to be implemented immediately.  For protocols sponsored by external funding, Pls should submit the latest version of the sponsored project proposal, not the grant as the form states.  As required by federal regulation (46 CFR 45.103(f)), the IRB is responsible for ensuring that the protocol for the use of human participants is consistent with the research funded by a federal agency. The BC IRB, like most IRBs, has implemented this for all projects funded by external entities.


10/27/08, The IRB has approved a change to its Training Policy.  The changes incorporate a more flexible approach to the training required for researchers using human participants in their research.  The link to the revised Training Policy can be found below (IRB Training Policy link).


3/31/08, Contact Information Update: Effective immediately and until further notice, please direct all questions to the ORP Staff or to Dr. Stephen Erickson, Director, Office for Research Integrity and Compliance.  Dr. Erickson is serving as Interim Director, Office for Research Protections. He can be reached at ericksst@bc.edu or by phone at (617) 552-3345.  Dr. Erickson's office address is Waul House 208.


New Procedure:  The IRB no longer requires hard copies of application materials!

All application materials are submitted via e-mail irb@bc.edu in PDF or MS Word format.  (See IRB Application Forms for details.)

Please combine application and supporting materials into one PDF document before e-mailing to the IRB.

IRB Review Timeline


IRB Training Policy  New

Please include your CITI training certificate with your submission to avoid any confusion.

CITI Human Research Education


IRB Meeting Dates & Deadlines

Summer 2008

June 18, 2008
July 16, 2008
August 20, 2008
September 17, 2008
October 15, 2008


* Only greater than minimal risk research is reviewed at a convened meeting.


Thumbnail of Policies Statement

Approved IRB Protocol (expedited or full board) require yearly review.


PIs receive a reminder notice 60 Days prior to the IRB expiration date.  All protocols expire automatically if a Continuing Review Report is not submitted to the IRB.


(Adobe Acrobat is needed in order to read the 2003 Boston College Polices and Procedures for Use of Human Subjects in Research document.)