Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRB)
Important Update (Effective 2/10/2021, revised 2/17/2021):
Researchers conducting research with human subjects are encouraged to design their studies to be conducted remotely if at all possible as this is the safest approach for our research participants, researchers and the university community. For those studies which cannot be conducted remotely, face-to-face human subjects research may be allowed on a case-by-case basis if it is determined that it can be conducted safely, and all participants either participate in the University’s COVID testing program or provide documentation that they’ve had a negative PCR or antigen test no more than 72 hours prior to being on campus. It is recommended that researchers limit research participants to those individuals who are already on campus and participating in the University’s COVID-testing program. Limited approvals for participants outside of the university COVID-testing program may be given under other circumstances (outside PCR or antigen test within 72 hours prior to campus visit). The full guidance available at COVID-19 Guidance for Researchers has been updated to include this new requirement.
Submit new applications or modifications to: umric@maine.edu
Federalwide Assurance #: FWA00000479
IRB Organization (IORG) #: IORG0000642
Students, employees, and agents of the University who conduct research involving human subjects must comply with the University Policy and Procedures for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research. These procedures exist for the rights and welfare of the people who participate in UMaine research. No systematic investigation of information obtained by observing or interacting with people, or by collecting and examining any form of identifiable private information about people, may be conducted until the Protection of Human Subjects Review Board has approved the research protocol.
Contact for Questions
Paula Portalatin
Research Compliance Officer III
paula.portalatin@maine.edu
207.581.2657, 311 Alumni Hall