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Division of Research Operations & Services > Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)

Human Research Protection Program (HRPP)

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

Guidelines

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.

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.

Additional information is available at: http://irb.ufl.edu/participantinfo.html.

Community and Research Participant Feedback Form

Community and Research Participant Feedback

The University of Florida values and appreciates our community, including anyone who volunteers to participate in research. To that end we welcome any suggestions or information from our community and research participants that could further contribute to research initiatives or improve our Human Research Protection Program.
  • The University of Florida values and appreciates our community, including anyone who volunteers to participate in research. To that end we welcome any suggestions or information from our community and research participants that could further contribute to research initiatives or improve our Human Research Protection Program.
  • You may choose to submit your comments above anonymously. However, if you are willing to provide your name and contact information this will allow us to contact you if we have any questions or follow up for you.

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) Accreditation

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

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

Update: Reporting “Unanticipated Problems”

Upcoming Events

IRB Brown Bag Series

  • Topic: Preview new social-media recruitment guidelines for research teams
  • When: November 07, 2018 – 12:00pm to 1:30pm
  • Where: Shepard Broad Building, Room 104
  • RSVP: Contact Connie Manchester at (352)273-9600 or email cmanchester@ufl.edu