The Office of Research Protection Programs (HRPP) assists investigators in fulfilling their obligation to plan and conduct experiments using human subjects in accord with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles and in conformity with all laws, regulations, and rules governing research subjects. 

HRPP facilitates the work of the institutional oversight committees, the two Institutional Review Boards (IRBs), and serves as a liaison between investigators and the federal government, interpreting the guidelines and regulations that govern research involving human subjects. 

The IRBs are the University's review mechanism for research projects that involve human subjects. Federal law and Marshall policy mandate prior IRB approval of protocols for ALL experimentation involving human subjects, regardless of whether the research is funded by a federal agency. The institution has an approved Federal-wide Assurance with the Department of Health and Human Services: Assurance Identification Number FWA00002704

Marshall University currently has two IRBs: a Medical IRB and a Behavioral and Social Sciences IRB.  The University also relies on the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) central IRBs.  These studies include Cooperative Group, Phase 3 clinical trials under the NCI Central IRB #1 (adult) and Childrens Oncology Group (COG) Phase 2 and 3 under the NCI Pediatric Central IRB #2 (Pediatric).

If you are unsure as to which IRB is appropriate, please call the ORI at (304) 696-7320 for clarification.