Some research projects require special permissions before the project can be approved. If your project involves Human Subjects, Animal Subjects, Harmful or Dangerous Substances or involves Travel Abroad, you need to make sure you have taken the appropriate steps to get these permissions as you prepare your application.
Human Subjects Approval
The University of Minnesota’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews research projects which involve human subjects to ensure that two broad standards are upheld: first, that subjects are not placed at undue risk; second, that they give uncoerced, informed consent to their participation. All researchers, including undergraduate students, must get approval from the IRB before starting any research involving human subjects. In addition to approval, the student must complete the required basic online CITI training.
For UROP applicants, you don’t need to have IRB approval at the time you apply for a UROP award; however, you must have final approval from the IRB and have completed the required CITI training before you can receive final approval and an award from UROP. You will be asked to verify both of these before an award can be given. This typically means submitting a copy of your letter of final approval from the IRB as well as the CITI completion certificate. If your mentor already has IRB approval for the project, you must officially be added to his/her protocol and verification of this must be sent to the UROP Office (you still need to do the training as well).
Questions?
If you have any questions about this process or which forms to use, please contact the IRB directly at [email protected] or 612-626-5654.
Animal Subjects Approval
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) reviews all projects involving animals to ensure that they are justified by their benefits and minimize any animal pain or suffering that might occur. All researchers, including undergraduate students, must get approval from IACUC before starting any research involving animal subjects. In addition to approval, the student must complete the required online training.
For UROP applicants, you don’t need to have IACUC approval at the time you apply for a UROP award; however, you must have final approval from IACUC and have completed the required training before you can receive final approval and an award from UROP. You will be asked to verify both of these before an award can be given. This typically means submitting a copy of your letter of final approval from IACUC as well as a copy of your training results. If your mentor already has IACUC approval for the project, you must officially be added to his/her protocol and verification of this must be sent to the UROP Office (you still need to do the training as well).
Questions?
If you have any questions about this process or which forms to use, please contact IACUC directly at [email protected] or 612-626-2126.
Using Harmful and Dangerous Substances
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) reviews research and teaching activities involving recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, infectious agents, biologically derived toxins, or other potentially hazardous biological agents. The guiding principle of the IBC is to assist faculty, staff and students using potentially hazardous biological agents in performing those activities in ways that eliminate or reduce potential exposure to personnel, students, animals and the environment. Students and their mentors are responsible for making sure all training is completed and all safety steps are taken before research begins.
Questions?
There may be different policies and procedures depending on what your research entails. Please make sure you check with your faculty mentor before starting your research.
Travel Abroad
If you are planning a project that takes you to another country, you must follow University regulations for doing research abroad as well as any regulations in the country in which you are doing your research.