The VHA Office of Research and Development (ORD) Program for Research Integrity Development and Education (PRIDE) has implemented a VA Central Institutional Review Board (IRB). Members have been recruited from all over the country. A list of members and their geographical distribution can be found on this website.

The purpose of the VA Central IRB is two-fold. First and foremost its purpose is to enhance the quality of human research protection in ORD-funded multi-site human research projects by performing appropriate ethical and scientific review while ensuring local issues are addressed. The second is to enhance the efficiency of these reviews.

Each VA facility that plans to use the VA Central IRB must add the VA Central IRB to its Federalwide Assurance (FWA) and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the VHA Central Office (VHACO) Human Research Protection Program (HRPP). The MOU clearly delineates the respective roles and responsibilities of each entity. The local VA has ultimate responsibility for its HRPP. Instructions for adding the VA Central IRB as an IRB of Record are also included on this website.

A number of VA Central IRB forms are also posted on this website to include new project application forms and information regarding reporting problems and noncompliance. More forms and policies will be posted in the future. In the interim, if you have any questions about the VA Central IRB please contact any of the following personnel:

VA Central IRB Administrative Staff