Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Chicago State University has determined that all research undertaken at this institution involving human subjects must be approved by its IRB. The University has obtained  Federal Assurance (FWA) that it is in compliance with the Federal requirements for the protection of human subjects. For details of CSU’s FWA, please visit the CSU IRB Assurance Webpage.

If you have a specific question, please contact the person listed as the "IRB Administrator" on the IRB  webpage.

All submissions should be routed electronically to the CSU IRB through its email address IRB@csu.edu.  The first step is to complete each item listed in the Application for Initial Review Form found on our webpage Forms | IRB | Chicago State University. More detailed submission requirements are  listed in the Instructions/Checklist form.  

Yes. All applications for initial review must be submitted using the first form listed on our webpage: Forms | IRB | Chicago State University. This should be submitted as a pdf to irb@csu.edu.  Be sure to attach the following required documents to the Application: (i) subject consent form (plus Assent form for minors), (ii) the training completion certificates for all personnel,  and (iii) their CVs. Attach all as appendices and submit as a single document.

Yes, scroll down to the bottom of the informed consent webpage for a template for the Consent Form and related forms.

Yes.  Our policies related to these are detailed in Policies | IRB | Chicago State University.

Depends on the level of review needed. If the project qualifies for Exempt and Expedited review, we endeavor to complete the approval process within 10 work days. Projects requiring Full review will be reviewed at the next meeting of the Board.  Meeting dates during the Academic year are posted on our website.

 The project principal investigator (PI) can select one of the three types of review depending on the type of study.  However, the final choice of review will be made by the IRB chair.

 As for CSU students and staff, your application for initial review must be submitted using the Application for Initial Review Form listed on our webpage: Forms | IRB | Chicago State University.  Additionally, your first steps are to obtain approval from your home institution IRB and also designate a CSU employee to coordinate your project. Attach the home institution’s IRB approval letter as an appendix to your Application and identify your CSU coordinator as one of the project personnel in Section II of the Application.

 Yes, but not without IRB approval.  To request  approval, submit a detailed description of the requested change(s) using the Protocol Amendment Form on the CSU IRB website. If the change includes any of the project personnel, attach that individual’s CV and training completion certificate as an Appendix to the Amendment Form.