The University of Florida (UF) is committed to protecting the rights and welfare of participants involved in human research. This institutional mission is led by UF’s Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) which provides oversight, administrative support and educational training to ensure that UF complies with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations / requirements.
UF’s HRPP is not a specific office, rather it consists of multiple components and is lead by the Office of Research. The primary components of the HRPP are:
- Institutional Leadership
- Institutional Review Boards
- Division of Research Compliance
- Division of Sponsored Programs
- Investigators & Research Staff
- Various Other Institutional Committees, Units and Offices
UF is committed to protecting research participants, upholding ethical standards, and improving our practice at every step. Individuals conducting, supporting or reviewing human research studies should familiarize themselves with all applicable policies. In order to protect participants and stay compliant, all individuals involved in human research should regularly review policies, procedures and guidelines since they are constantly evolving.
HRPP Policies & Guidelines
Policies
- Institutional Designations Policy
- Human Research Protection Program Policy
- Undue Influence of the HRPP Policy
- Suspension and Termination by the Institution Policy
- Institutional Financial Interests Policy
- Management of Financial Interests Policy
- Annual Evaluation of the HRPP Policy
- Principal Investigator and Student Roles in Human Research Policy
Guidelines and Guidances
For Investigators and Research Staff
This section provides important links to Investigators and Research Staff in order to assist with maintaining compliance with policies, procedures and regulations.
- Institutional Review Board (IRB) Policy Page
- Division of Research Compliance (DRC)
- Division of Sponsored Programs (DSP)
- Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
New to the UF research community? Check out the ResearchPortal , a one-stop shop to key resources and services at UF!
Have questions about research trainings? Check out the Office of Research’s Research Training page, for more helpful tips.
For Research Participants
This section is designed to assist former, current, or prospective human research participants in obtaining information or offering input regarding research and clinical trials. It provides important contact information for questions and concerns about participation in research as well as a printable brochure.
- Important Contact Information:
- UF Compliance Hotline: Report Anonymously 1-877-556-5356 or go to reportlineweb.com/uf
- IRB Compliance Hotline at (352) 294-5549
- IRB Office at (352) 273-9600
- Should I Take Part in Research Brochure
Additional information is available at: http://irb.ufl.edu/participantinfo.html.
Community and Research Participant Feedback Form
Contact Information
For General HRPP Questions
gailinemccaslin@ufl.edu
Phone: (352) 273-3407
Fax: (352) 846-0491
Mailing Address:
Office of Research
460 Grinter Hall
PO BOX 115500
Gainesville, FL 32611-5500
Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Accre
ditation
On March 21, 2018, the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) announced that the University of Florida has been awarded full Accreditation status. UF joins almost 250 institutions worldwide demonstrating that we have extensive safeguards in every level of our research operation, adhere to high standards for research, and can be trusted to not only protect research participants but also produce accurate, reliable results.
As the “gold seal,” AAHRPP accreditation offers assurances—to research participants, researchers, sponsors, government regulators, and the general public—that an HRPP is focused first and foremost on excellence.
What is AAHRPP Accreditation?
AAHRPP is an independent, non-profit accrediting body, AAHRPP uses a voluntary, peer-driven, educational model to ensure that human research protection programs (HRPPs) meet rigorous standards for quality and protection.
Accreditation standards are based on regulations and HRPP best practices. To earn accreditation, organizations must demonstrate (e.g., through policies, procedures, and practices) their commitment to ethical scientific and scholarly research and to continuous quality improvement.
What is the Goal of Accreditation?
The goal of AAHRPP accreditation is to benefit organizations, participants, and the overall research enterprise. By applying high standards to the organizational systems that must work together to protect participants, AAHRPP accreditation also enhances the overall quality of an organization’s research practices.
In working towards accreditation, organizations typically implement changes to their HRPPs to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of HRPP policies and procedures, research applications and review procedures, and educational offerings for researchers, research staff, IRB members, IRB support staff, and participants.
For information on specific benefits of accreditation, see AAHRPP’s Value of Accreditation.
What does AAHRPP Accreditation mean for UF Researchers?
The university will continue to enhance its human research protection program through quality improvement initiatives designed to facilitate research, ensure regulatory compliance while minimizing administrative burdens, and strengthen protections for participants.
News and Important Updates
| March 27, 2020 | Announcement: UF Needs Your Help!!! Please Donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) |
| March 24, 2020 | Update: New UF Guidance on Conducting Approved Human Subject Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| March 16, 2020 | News: Impact of COVID-19 on Research and Sponsored Programs |
| May 20, 2019 | Announcement: UF Research Announces IRB03/IRB01 Merger |
| November 29, 2018 | Update: New HRPP Guideline – Research Team Guidelines for Social Media Recruitment |
| June 18, 2018 | News: Common Rule Revisions Published in the Federal Register for general implementation to go into effect on January 21, 2019. |
| March 22, 2018 | News: UF Human Research Protection Program Awarded Full AAHRPP Accreditation |
| February 12, 2018 | Update: Attention Researchers Using IRB-02 and IRB-03 – NEW Required Training goes into effect March 8, 2018 |
| January 23, 2018 |
Update: Enrolling Research Subjects Who Do Not Speak or Read English |
Upcoming Events
IRB Brown Bag Series: COVID-19 Guidance
Date: Wednesday, April 8th, 2020
Time: 12PM to 1PM
Please contact: Tanya V. Aranca, IRB Education Coordinator at arancat08@ufl.edu for Zoom Meeting Information.