At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic and transition to limited business operations, the Office of the Institutional Review Board (OIRB) gave priority to all submissions related to SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19. This included submissions directly related to the virus or submissions to adjust ongoing protocol procedures to allow research to continue during the pandemic.

As restrictions ease during the transition to modified business operations, and research activities resume and new projects are initiated, the OIRB will begin to re-equilibrate prioritization of submissions. Those submissions directly related to patient care, vaccine candidates, or other forms of treatment for COVID-19 will continue to be given priority.  All other submissions will be processed as swiftly as possible.

For COVID-19 submissions related to vaccine trials, treatment, or directly related to patient care, please continue to notify the OIRB. If the submission is for an initial submission, include the phrase, “COVID-19 RELATED SUBMISSION,” in the protocol title in IRAP and contact the OIRB as follows:

• Adam McClintock, Director of the Office of the IRB (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
• IRB Intake Staff (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

If the submission is for a revision/amendment or problem report, include “COVID-19 RELATED SUBMISSION” in the protocol title line of the form (PRAF or Problem Report) and contact the OIRB as instructed above.