Institutional Review Boards (IRBMED)

A component of the University of Michigan's Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) and a unit of the Office of Research, the six Institutional Review Boards of the University of Michigan Medical School (IRBMED) oversee human subjects research conducted at the Medical School and Michigan Medicine. This includes research conducted off-site by University faculty and staff when acting as University employees or in connection with their University appointments.

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IRBMED Pages

We look forward to working with you.
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • IRBMED Education
  • Informed Consent & Assent Templates
  • For IRBMED Members
  • Emergencies, Contacts, Roster
  • For Study Participants
    • eResearch
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    Spotlight On
    Explaining Recent eResearch Update

    An update to eResearch Regulatory Management was released Saturday, May 10. A new HRPP page explains the context for the multiple new questions.
    Research A to Z
    How IRBMED Supports Research

    IRBMED is charged with protecting the rights and welfare of participants in clinical trials and other human subjects research studies. IRBMED is responsible for monitoring compliance with federal and state laws, university policies, and ethical principles (particularly those articulated in the Belmont Report).

    Frequently Asked Questions
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    Informed Consent & Assent Templates

    IRBMED offers numerous downloadable templates to assist researchers in creating informed consent and assent documents. In addition to standard consent and assent templates, several specialty templates, for use in specific types of research situations, are also offered. You can search and bookmark any template in Research A-Z.

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    Education & U-MIC

    The goal of IRBMED’s Education Program is to meet the ongoing educational needs of the research community. In addition to in-person classroom education on an assortment of relevant topics, IRBMED also offers multimedia presentations (U-MIC), which are short videos and voiceover slide shows that address topics relating both to ethics in human subjects research and to IRB procedures.

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    Information for IRB Members

    Members of the boards complete assigned reviews of submissions, and access materials for Convened meetings, through the eResearch(link is external) Regulatory Management (eRRM) portal.

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    Information for Study Subjects

    The IRBMED protects the rights and welfare of participants in clinical trials and other human subjects research studies by careful review and monitoring of research per applicable laws, regulations, and University policies.

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    Contact Us
    Institutional Review Boards (IRBMED)
    Room 3214
    North Campus Research Complex, Building 520
    2800 Plymouth Road
    Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800
    Phone: 734-763-4768
    About Us
    Institutional Review Boards (IRBMED) is a unit of the Medical School Office of Research, where our mission is to foster an environment of innovation and efficiency that serves the Michigan Medicine research community and supports biomedical science from insight to impact.
    We're Accredited

    IRBMED has full accreditation by they Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc.

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    Upcoming Research Events All Office of Research Events
    Data and Safety Monitoring Boards and Data Safety Monitoring Plans
    This course will review when studies are required to have a DSMP or DSMB and how to develop an appropriate DSMP. A DSMB is an independent group that advises the study team regarding subject safety, study conduct, and efficacy. The DSMB will also make recommendations concerning the continuation, modification, or termination of the trial. A DSMP outlines how subject safety and data integrity will be maintained to ensure the validity of collected data.
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    Event Rescheduled
    Research Foundations for Investigators: Designing Strong Pilot & Feasibility Studies
    Presented by the Clinical Trials Support Office, a unit of the Medical School Office of Research, the Research Foundations for Investigators series is for early-career investigators and their teams that are looking to develop their skills and grow their research portfolio. Session 1 focuses on the basics of designing strong pilot and feasibility studies.
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    Oops! I did it again...or did I? How CAPA Can Turn Mistakes into Quality Improvements
    Join the Central Biorepository (CBR) for an upcoming webinar covering Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) processes in research and regulated laboratory settings.
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    Scale Biosciences Lunch & Learn
    Join Scale Biosciences and the BRCF Advanced Genomics Core for a free lunch and learn about Sequencing the Needles in the Haystack: Flow-Assisted Nuclear Sorting to Enrich for Non-Neuronal Brain Cell Types.
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    Storage and Retention of Data
    This course will review the fundamentals of maintaining confidentiality of subject data, including data encryption and protection, using secure environments and external websites, and distinguishing among anonymized, coded, and de- identified datasets.
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    Introduction to sIRBs
    This course will identify the Single IRB model for Multi-Site research, show the regulatory requirements of sIRB review and the exceptions to sIRB requirements, and explain sIRB requests of IRBMED as sIRB (accepting oversight), External IRB as sIRB (ceding oversight), and UofM as the Coordinating Center.
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    FDA Research Involving Drugs and Devices
    This course will review what research is subject to FDA oversight, highlight the differences between OHRP and FDA regulations, learn the responsibilities of sponsors, investigators, and the IRB when conducting and reviewing research involving drugs and devices, and examine the requirements for conducting research with a drug or biologic/medical device.
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    Not Regulated, Secondary Use, and Umbrella Applications
    This course will review the Not Regulated, Secondary Use, and Umbrella application types in eResearch and when these application types are applicable.
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    Making the Most of Your Metabolomics Data
    Learn how to use software and strategies to mine and interpret your metabolomics data, and how the BRCF Metabolomics Core can support your research.
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    Featured Research News All Office of Research News Photo of a woman standing in front of a long term storage freezer pulling out a rack of biospecimen
    Office of Research
    UMMS Central Biorepository Awarded Continued Accreditation From the College of American Pathologists (CAP)
    The UMMS Central Biorepository (CBR) has been awarded continued accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP) following a recent on-site inspection.
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    Office of Research
    Upholding Expectations for Research Ethics & Compliance
    The University of Michigan has myriad safeguards in place to ensure that all research conducted under university auspices is done so ethically and in accordance with all applicable policies, rules, and regulations.
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    Office of Research
    Olivia Koues Named BRCF Director
    Olivia Koues, Ph.D., has been named the Director of the Biomedical Research Core Facilities (BRCF). Her appointment began on Monday, June 9, 2025.