Institutional Review Board
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) Office supports Augusta University’s commitment to ethical research by ensuring the protection of human subjects and compliance with federal regulations. We serve as the central point of contact for advancing the goals of the Enterprise Human Research Protection Program (HRPP).
We uphold the ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report—respect for persons, beneficence, and justice—and ensure adherence to federal regulations, including the Common Rule (45 CFR 46) established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. These principles guide our efforts to minimize risk, secure informed consent, and ensure participants fully understand the research and associated risks.
The IRB has the authority to approve, exempt, disapprove, monitor, and require modifications to any research involving human subjects, as outlined by federal and institutional policy. All research must receive IRB approval or exemption before any study-related activities begin.
The IRB Office provides a wide range of support services, including:
- Administrative support for internal IRB committees
- Facilitation of collaborative research with external institutions and non-affiliated investigators
- Monitoring and oversight of all IRB-approved studies
- Education and training for investigators and IRB committee members
- Complimentary study-specific submission guidance through our consultation service
- Templates and guidance documents for IRB submissions
- Educational webinars on IRB and human subjects research topics
- Community engagement and outreach initiatives to bridge the gap between researchers and community members
Contact Us
Research Compliance
Health Sciences Campus
Augusta, GA 30912
(Institutional Compliance Hotline)
Resources for Investigators
Tools for Researchers Database
Access the Tools for Researchers database to view IRB-related and institutional policies. Enter a search term—such as IRB, IRB templates, IRB policy, IRB guidance, Exempt, or Expedited—to review a list of relevant documents matching your search.
Online Human Subjects Determination (OHSD) Form
The Online Human Subjects Determination (OHSD) form is an electronic tool that collects key project details to determine if an activity qualifies as human subjects research and whether IRB review is required. Effective November 1, 2025, this will be the sole method for HSDs.
OHSD Consultation & Training Sessions
The OHSD Consultation helps researchers interpret the federal definitions of “research” and “human subjects research” and accurately complete Augusta University’s Online Human Subjects Determination (OHSD) form. Choose this service if you are unsure whether your activity is research, unsure whether it involves human subjects or identifiable data, need help navigating the OHSD form, or do not fully understand your OHSD determination.
IRB Study Consultation
Use this service if your project has already been determined (e.g., via OHSD or prior knowledge) to qualify as human subjects research and you need help preparing a submission to the Augusta University IRB. During the IRB Submission Consultation, an IRB consultant will provide step-by-step, study-specific guidance to help you prepare a complete submission under the appropriate review pathway (exempt, expedited, full board, or reliance/multi-site).
Virtual Walk-In Wednesday: IRB Educational Webinar Series
IRB Training Session
Our office offers tailored educational support to Augusta University faculty and staff through one-on-one training and guest lectures on human subjects research and ethics.
Protocol Builder
IRB Training Videos
Getting Started Guide for IRB Submissions
CITI Program Training
IRB Office Internship
Requesting Human Research Box Drive Access for IRB Approved Studies
Research Announcements & New Initiatives
Innovative Solutions for Compliance and Research Management
IRBNet is an electronic IRB submission system that was implemented by Augusta University IRB in May 2014.
