Taylor University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee that provides oversight of all research involving human subjects. The IRB exists solely to make sure all research participants are protected from any undue harm or risk. Read the IRB Policy.

All projects involving human subjects (even exempt projects) must be submitted to the IRB in order to comply with federal regulations and university policies.

Submit a Proposal

All projects with human subjects must be submitted to the IRB (even exempt projects) so the university can keep track of what research is being done.

Assuming all materials are included in the submission, exempt and expedited reviews are normally completed within one week. Full reviews require a convening of the full IRB and may take weeks or months to complete.

  1. Undergraduate student projects are to be submitted by a faculty member providing oversight for the project. The faculty member will be considered one of the principal investigators.
  2. Graduate student projects are to be submitted by a faculty member who will serve as faculty mentor for the project. The graduate student will serve as principal investigator.
  3. If you are unfamiliar with the issues and terms of human subject research, use the CITI Program Human Subjects Research Course in the appropriate concentration area (biomedical research or social & behavioral). If you have had limited training in human subject research, you are encouraged to add a copy of the certificate the tutorial provides to your submission (to demonstrate that you understand the issues involved in human subject research).

To Submit Your Project

  1. Complete the IRB Application Form.
  2. When you submit, your application will go to the IRB Committee for review. Be sure to include all required documents like consent forms and CITI certifications.
  3. Feedback and determination notifications are sent via Microsoft Teams.
  4. Please allow sufficient time for review of your proposal. Applications requiring a full review will be reviewed during our monthly IRB meeting on the first Thursday of each month. Exempt and expedited reviews will usually be reviewed and returned within one week.
  5. If you have any questions before or after submission, email them to irb@taylor.edu.

External Resources

For more information, contact Dr. Kris Johnson, Director of Grants & Sponsored Programs, at kris_johnson1@taylor.edu.