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.

IRBMED Contacts and Roster three men talking in meeting
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
    SignNow Electronic Signatures
    Photo of Beth Vibbart
    Spotlight On
    IRBMED Leadership updates

    Beth Vibbart has been selected as a new IRBMED Assistant Director. Additionally, during the new IRBMED Director search, Corey Zolondek, IRB-HSBS Director, will serve as Interim Director.
    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
    close-up of hands filling out form on clipboard
    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.

    Learn More
    woman on Zoom meeting
    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.

    Learn More
    young man speaking in room of people
    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.

    Learn More
    doctor speaking with patient
    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.

    Learn More
    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.

    Learn More
    Upcoming Research Events All Office of Research Events
    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.
    A zoom event on a laptop
    OHRP’s Subparts B, C, and D -Special Populations
    This course will examine the additional regulatory requirements for conducting research involving pregnant women, fetuses, neonates, children, and prisoners, including the requirements for these populations in a research project and obtaining informed consent.
    A computer screen showing multiple people participating in a zoom event
    Federal and Institutional Requirements for Human Subject Research
    This course will introduce the basics of conducting human subject research in compliance with federal regulations and institutional practices.
    A man participating in a zoom event
    Bioinformatics Core Summer Workshop Series
    Composed of the two companion workshops (Computational Foundations and RNA-Seq Demystified), this virtual workshop series is for researchers who would like to better understand the analysis of differential gene expression in bulk RNA-Seq data.
    An illustration of DNA
    Elements of Informed Consent
    This course offers an overview of informed consent in human subject research. The course will examine IRBMED’s standard consent template and focus on how it reflects federal requirements.
    A zoom event on a laptop
    Introduction to eResearch
    This course is intended for those unfamiliar with eResearch, the university’s electronic research administration site. This course will provide a basic knowledge of working in and using eResearch while examining the process for creating and submitting an initial project application.
    A computer screen showing multiple people participating in a zoom event
    Microscopy Core NCRC Open House
    The BRCF Microscopy Core has recently renovated and expanded the services offered at the North Campus Research Complex (NCRC), 2800 Plymouth Rd Building 18, Ann Arbor, and we’d love for you to come see what we’ve done! 
    Microscope
    Waivers, Alterations, and Alternative Forms of Informed Consent
    This course offers an overview of some special situations relating to informed consent. Specifically, waivers and alterations of informed consent, waivers of documentation of informed consent, and obtaining consent from non-English speakers.
    A woman participating in a zoom event
    Reporting AEs, ORIOs, and Unanticipated Problems
    This course will identify what constitutes an Adverse Event, ORIO, and Unanticipated Problem and how such events impact risk to subjects. Additionally, the course will review the requirements of reporting such events to the IRB and other entities.
    A man participating in a zoom event
    Featured Research News All Office of Research News Photo of Beth Vibbart
    Office of Research
    IRBMED Announces New Assistant Director
    The Institutional Review Boards (IRBMED) is pleased to announce that Beth Vibbart, MS, CIP, has been appointed as a new Assistant Director.
         Gary Luker
    Office of Research
    Changes at the BRCF Microscopy Core
    The BRCF Microscopy Core has a lot of exciting changes: a faculty director, a superresolution spinning disk confocal microscope, an EM series, and an open house.
         Fun illustration in red, white, and blue, with the words "fourth of July"
    Office of Research
    Several Cores Closed for the Holiday
    In observance of the Independence Day, several cores will have a change in operations.