Institutional Review Board for Research with Human Subjects

The Washington and Lee University Institutional Review Board for Research with Human Subjects (IRB) assures the protection of the rights and welfare of human research subjects according to federal and state regulations and institutional guidelines. The committee or representative(s) of the committee will review institutional, university faculty or staff, and student research proposals which involve the use of human subjects to ensure their compliance with appropriate protocols.  

This site includes all of the forms, templates, training instructions, and policy references that you should need to get started. If you have any questions after reviewing this website or during the proposal preparation phase, please contact Bryan Price, Chair of the Institutional Review Board, bprice@wlu.edu, x8316.

*Average IRB processing times range 5-10 business days.

How to Begin

1. Start by reviewing the Tips on Submitting an IRB Proposal
2. Read the page on Applying the Research Definition
3. Read and follow the Research Proposal Instructions. Included in these instructions are references to:
   • CITI Training for Students or for Faculty/Staff
   • Accessing the appropriate forms
   • Completing the Request for Approval of Research Form
4. When completing the Request for Approval of Research Form, it may be helpful to review the Best Practices for Completing the Request for Approval of Research webpage.
5. If you are a student submitting a proposal, a faculty or staff member MUST review your proposal prior to forwarding it to the IRB.

*Please note that during the summer months the average processing time is extended and may take up to 30 days.

W&L Institutional Review Board for Research with Human Participants Policy (last revised: September 2, 2019)