Keeping the Community Informed
This newsletter is designed to get timely and useful information to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) research community. Please email HRPO@umaryland.edu if you have suggestions and topics for future newsletters.
From the IRB Chair
UMB IRB chair and Human Research Protections Office (HRPO)/IRB virtual office hours take place the second Monday of each month from 12-1 p.m.
No reservation is required.
Call for IRB Members
The UMB IRB is seeking new membership. Although the UMB IRB is looking for members of varying skills and expertise, MDs are strongly encouraged to apply. Prior IRB experience is not necessary. Full orientation and training will be provided.
If you or someone you know is interested in joining UMB’s IRB, please email HRPO@umaryland.edu with the subject “IRB Volunteer.”
Assistance Needed?
Do you need assistance with your IRB protocol design, scientific and regulatory issues, or personalized research guidance for human research studies?
Schedule a meeting with an IRB vice chair for expert support.
Upcoming 2026 AAHRPP Visit
Reaccreditation by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) will be coming up in late spring/early summer of 2026.
Additional details will be shared at a later time to help the research community prepare.
CICERO Application Tip
Question 1 of the Resources section:
“Describe the time that the Principal Investigator will devote to conducting and completing the research:”
How to respond:
Provide a clear, measurable estimate of the PI’s time commitment. Use hours per week or % effort (e.g., “10% effort” or “4 hrs/week”) to show the PI can meet oversight and research responsibilities.