The activities listed below should not be deemed to be of minimal risk simply because they are included on this list. Inclusion on this list merely means that the activity is eligible for review through the expedited review procedure when the specific circumstances of the proposed research involve no more than minimal risk to human subjects. The categories in this list apply regardless of the age of subjects, except as noted.

The expedited review procedure may not be used where identification of the subjects and/or their responses would reasonably place them at risk of criminal or civil liability or be damaging to the subjects financial standing, employability, insurability, reputation, or be stigmatizing, unless reasonable and appropriate protections will be implemented so that risks related to invasion of privacy and breach of confidentiality are no greater than minimal.

Research Categories one (1) through seven (7) pertain to both initial and continuing IRB review

1. Clinical studies of drugs and medical devices only when condition (a) or (b) is met.

• Research on drugs for which an investigational new drug application (21CFR§312) is not required. (Note: Research on marketed drugs that significantly increases the risks or decreases the acceptability of the risks associated with the use of the product is not eligible for expedited review.)
• Research on medical devices for which (i) an investigational device exemption application (21 CFR§812) is not required; or (ii) the medical device is cleared/approved for marketing and the medical device is being used in accordance with its cleared/approved labeling.

2. Collection of blood samples by finger stick, heel stick, ear stick, or vein puncture as follows:

• From healthy, non-pregnant adults who weigh at least 110 pounds. For these subjects, the amounts drawn may not exceed 550 ml in an 8-week period and collection may not occur more frequently than 2 times per week; or
• From other adults and children, considering the age, weight, and health of the subjects, the collection procedure, the amount of blood to be collected, and the frequency with which it will be collected. For these subjects, the amount drawn may not exceed the lesser of 50 ml or 3 ml per kg in an 8-week period and collection may not occur more frequently than 2 times per week. [Children are defined in the DHHS regulations as "persons who have not attained the legal age for consent to treatments or procedures involved in the research, under the applicable law of the jurisdiction in which the research will be conducted.”] [ 45 CFR§46.402(a)]

3. Prospective collection of biological specimens for research purposes by non-invasive means.

Examples:

• Hair and nail clippings in a non-disfiguring manner;
• Deciduous teeth at time of exfoliation or if routine patient care indicates a need for extraction;
• Permanent teeth if routine patient care indicates a need for extraction;
• Excreta and external secretions (including sweat);
• Un-cannulated saliva collected either in an unstimulated fashion or stimulated by chewing gum base or wax or by applying a dilute citric solution to the tongue;
• Placenta removed at delivery;
• Amniotic fluid obtained at the time of rupture of HRPP Manual V.2 January 2019 Page 45 of 199the membrane prior to or during labor;
• Supra- and subgingival dental plaque and calculus, provided the collection procedure is not more invasive than routine prophylactic scaling of the teeth and the process is accomplished in accordance with accepted prophylactic techniques;
• Mucosal and skin cells collected by buccal scraping or swab, skin swab, or mouth washings;
• Sputum collected after saline mist nebulization.

4. Collection of data through noninvasive procedures (not involving general anesthesia or sedation) routinely employed in clinical practice, excluding procedures involving x-rays or microwaves. Where medical devices are employed, they must be cleared/approved for marketing. (Studies intended to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the medical device are not generally eligible for expedited review, including studies of cleared medical devices for new indications.)

Examples:

• Physical sensors that are applied either to the surface of the body or at a distance and do not involve input of significant amounts of energy into the subject or an invasion of the subject’s privacy;
• Weighing or testing sensory acuity;
• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• Electrocardiography, electroencephalography, thermography, detection of naturally occurring radioactivity, electroretinography, ultrasound, diagnostic infrared imaging, doppler blood flow, and echocardiography;
• Moderate exercise, muscular strength testing, body composition assessment, and flexibility testing where appropriate given the age, weight, and health of the individual.

5. Research involving materials (data, documents, records, or specimens) that have been collected, or will be collected solely for non-research purposes (such as medical treatment or diagnosis). [NOTE: Some research in this category may be exempt from the DHHS regulations for the protection of human subjects. See Exempt Categories and 45 CFR 46 101(b) (4). This listing refers only to research that is not exempt.]

6. Collection of data from voice, video, digital, or image recordings made for research purposes.

7. Research on individual or group characteristics or behavior (including, but not limited to, research on perception, cognition, motivation, identity, language, communication, cultural beliefs or practices, and social behavior) or research employing survey, interview, oral history, focus group, program evaluation, human factors evaluation, or quality assurance methodologies. [NOTE: Some research in this category may be exempt from the DHHS regulations for the protection of human subjects. See Exempt Categories and 45 CFR§46.101(b) (2)and (b) (3). This listing refers only to research that is not exempt.]

The Brown University Health Human Protection Program Policy and Procedure Manual provides more detailed information and is available in the "Forms and Templates" section on IRBNet.

IRBNet

The IRB doesn't have to be confusing! On this page, you will find  instructions and templates that will help put your mind at ease. For your convenience, we attached the 2022 Committee Meeting and Deadline Schedule. It can also be found on IRBNet.

2022 Committee Meeting and Deadline Schedule

Please note: The IRB will determine what IRB group will review your project. For specific information regarding dates contact Janice Muratori at (401) 444-6897.

IRBNet Instructions

• New User Registration Instructions
• New Project Submission Instructions
• Subsequent Package Submission Instructions

Checklists

Examples of checklists found under "Forms and Templates" on IRBNet.
(Please check most updated template)

• New Projects Application
• Continuing review report checklist 
• Response to Committee Checklist
• Amendment Checklist
• Closure Checklist
• Unanticipated Problem/Adverse Event Checklist
• Protocol Violation Exception Checklist

Forms

*Please refer to "Forms and Templates" on IRBNet (left-hand sidebar)

HIPPA PHI

HIPAA 18 PHI Identifiers