Institutional Review Board (IRB)

UWF policy requires that all research activities involving human participants must be reviewed by the IRB prior to the recruitment of participants and initiation of data collection. This requirement applies to all research-related activities involving human participants at any UWF campus or conducted by any UWF faculty, staff and/or student.

IRB Review Timeline

To all investigators: It is a violation of federal regulations to initiate human subjects research prior to receiving IRB approval. Therefore, it is important that proposals be submitted to the IRB in a timely manner and with consideration of upcoming IRB meetings whenever the project involves completion deadlines (i.e. for publishing or thesis/dissertation submission). UWF asks that investigators please allow up to 4-6 weeks for IRB review.

Recent Updates

New IRB Training Requirement for Faculty Advisors

Faculty advisors for student research are now required to have an up to date CITI Training certificate for either the Social & Behavioral Research Basic/Refresher course or the Biomedical Research- Basic/Refresher course. CITI training certificates can be uploaded to IRBNet user profiles.

Submitting an Application through IRBNet.org

In November 2021, UWF moved its IRB Application system online and uses the website IRBNet.org to process all applications. Please note all IRB forms and samples can be found under Forms & Templates within IRBNet. For a preview of the required proposal form visit IRB Project Proposal Information.

First-Time IRBNet Users

1. Go to “Creating an Account in IRBNet.org”
2. Take your required training at citiprogram.org
   • Training Requirement Information
3. Go to “Attaching Your Training”

Registered IRBNet Users Starting a New Project

Is your CITI training still valid? If not, log into citiprogram.org, take the training, and update your IRBNet profile with the new training certificate.

4. Go to “Creating a new Project” to follow the steps to create a project and submit a package.
   • Submitted packages that are incomplete or unclear may incur delays in processing.
5. If you received a “Modifications Required” letter with your board decision and you need to submit a revision to your reviewed IRB application, then go to How to Respond to a "Modifications Required" Letter

Once your project has been approved

6. If you need to make a change to your approved project, you will need to submit an amendment package. Go to “Creating and Submitting an Amendment” for instructions to create an amendment package.
7. If you need an extension to your currently approved IRB application approval dates, then go to “Creating and Submitting an Extension” for instructions on how to submit a continuing review package.
8. Once your data collection is complete and you are no longer analyzing identifiable data, you will need to submit a final report package. Please visit “Creating and Submitting a Final Report.”

Policies & Guidance

• IRBNet FAQs
• IRB Practice and Procedures Manual
• Training Requirements
• Research Incentives
• Common Mistakes in Submitting IRB Applications

Want more information about the IRB process?

For more information concerning the UWF IRB or to schedule an in-person presentation for your class or group, please contact the Research Compliance Officer at 850-474-3484 or email irb@uwf.edu.

The University of West Florida maintains a Federal Wide Assurance (FWA) for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research and is a registered IRB with the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP).

FWA Number: FWA00002657
IORG Number: IORG0001310