How do I submit an IRB Application?
The IRB process can be a bit confusing at first, but completing the following steps will help streamline the process and get your first application into IRBNet for review.
- Anyone submitting an IRB application must first complete NIH Protecting Human Research Participants (PHRP) training and upload a copy of their certificate to IRBNet.
- All IRB applications must be submitted via the online system at IRBNet.
- Visit our IRBNet page to create your account and find guides for using IRBNet.
- After you register for IRBNet, complete your User Profile and upload your NIH PRHP certificate.
- Select and complete IRB Application Form.
- At this point, consider visiting the IRB Office Hours to talk about your proposed study and best practices for submission.
- Be sure to create a Consent Form, if applicable, to be uploaded to IRBNet with your application.
- Create a New Package in IRBNet and upload your IRB Application Form and additional required documentation.
- You will receive a response from an designated IRB Reviewer or notification that your study has been scheduled for Full Board review.
- The Lindenwood IRB will communicate with applicants at this point about any application through the IRBNet messaging system.
- Refer to this guidance about responding to communication in IRBNet and revising submitting documents.
- At any time, please visit the IRB Office Hours with any questions or schedule a consultation at your convenience. The Lindenwood IRB offers consultation at all phases of research administration, from development, to application, to implementation.
Lindenwood University uses an online system called IRBNet for all IRB applications. After you submit an application, the IRB will correspond with you directly in IRBNet to facilitate a timely and effective review. IRBNet will also maintain all approval documentation for your study, ensuring a secure, easily accessible online space for all your human subjects research compliance needs.
IRBNet FAQ
How do I use IRBNet?
There are a variety of options for learning how to use IRBNet:
- Contact the IRB Office to schedule a consultation, training event, or individual IRBNet tutorial.
- Visit Lindenwood IRB Office Hours without an appointment to work directly in IRBNet with a specialist.
- Take a look at this New Project Submission tutorial provided by IRBNet
- Take a look at this Advanced Topics tutorial provided by IRBnet for tips on how to submit additional packages, such as Modifications and Continuing Reviews
- Take a look at the training videos accessible at IRBNet (contact the IRB Director for username and password).
How do I access IRBNet?
To access the online IRB application system, visit IRBNet (irbnet.org) and create a new account to get started. This New User tutorial provided by IRBNet provides additional instructions on how to complete the registration process and set up various parts of your user profile.
What if I have questions about IRBNet?
If you have any technical questions about IRBNet, please contact the IRB Director for more information.
How do I upload a NIH Training Certificate?
Before your IRBNet application can be approved, researchers must complete the NIH Protecting Human Research Participants training. When your training is complete, you will need to download a .pdf of your completion certificate.
This training certificate then must also be uploaded to IRBNet using the following steps. IRBNet automatically tracks your required training if these steps are completed correctly. To upload your training certificate:
1. Log into IRBNet
2. Click on "User Profile" in the upper right hand corner.
3. Scroll down to "Training & Credentials"
4. Click "Add a New Training and Credentials Record" and upload the .pdf of your training certificate.
How do I submit a Continuing Review in IRBNet?
To submit a Continuing Review in IRBNet:
- Download and complete the Continuing Review Application
- Log into IRBnet
- Click on "My Projects" and select the title of the project for which you want to submit a Continuing Review
- Click on "Project History" located on the left-hand side of the page.
- Click "Create New Package."
- Click "Designer"
- Click "Add New Document"
- As Document Type, select "Continuing Review/Progress Report"
- Type in Description (e.g. "Continuing Review")
- Click Browse to find the document on your desktop.
- Click "Attach"
- Click "Sign this Package" to obtain necessary signatures
- Click "Submit this Package"
How do I submit a Modification in IRBNet?
Each approved IRBNet project works like a file drawer. The initial application is assigned a study number followed by "-1," making it easy to tell which application you are seeing (e.g. 123456-1). All subsequent modifications and continuing reviews are labeled in sequence with "-2," "-3," etc... This creates a simple audit trail, so that you can see all applications associated with an approved study in chronological order.
To submit a modification in IRBNet:
- Download and complete the Amendment/Modification Application
- Log into IRBnet
- Click on "My Projects" and select the title of the project you want to modify or amend.
- Click on "Project History" located on the left-hand side of the page.
- Click "Create New Package."
- Click "Designer"
- To upload Amendment/Modification form:
- Click "Add New Document"
- As Document Type, select "Amendment/Modification"
- Type in Description (e.g. "Modification Form")
- Click Browse to find the document on your desktop.
- Click "Attach"
- To add revised study documents click "Add New document"
- Click the pencil icon next to the approved document you have revised.
- Click Browse to find the revised document on your desktop.
- Click "Attach"
- This will stack revised documents onto the same line item for each approved document
- To upload Amendment/Modification form:
- Click "Sign this Package" to obtain necessary signatures
- Click "Submit this Package"
How do I submit a Reportable Event Form in IRBNet?
To submit a Reportable Event Form (REF) in IRBNet:
- Download and complete the Reportable Event Form
- Log into IRBnet
- Click on "My Projects" and select the title of the project you want to modify or amend.
- Click on "Project History" located on the left-hand side of the page.
- Click "Create New Package."
- Click "Designer"
- Click "Add New Document"
- As Document Type, select "Reportable Event Form"
- Type in Description (e.g. "Reportable Event," "Unanticipated Problem," "Non-Compliance")
- Click Browse to find the document on your desktop.
- Click "Attach"
- Click "Sign this Package" to obtain necessary signatures
- Click "Submit this Package"
