Working with Human Subjects and Protected Health Information
Boston University has two institutional review boards (IRBs), an IRB for the Charles River Campus and an IRB for the Medical Campus, including Boston Medical Center. The purpose of the IRB is to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects of research and to assure the clinical research is conducted according to corresponding federal regulations, state law, and IRB policies.
All research and clinical investigations involving human subjects in which the Charles River Campus, Boston University Medical Campus, Boston Medical Center, their staff, their students, or their patients are involved may be subject to the authority of the IRB, regardless of funding source or other regulatory requirements.
If you are associated with the Medical Campus or Boston Medical Center, please visit the BUMC IRB Website.
If you are associated with the Charles River Campus, please use the information on this site.
Protected Health Information (PHI) in Research
If your research involves using medical or health information, you must determine your obligations as a researcher under HIPAA. Please visit the HIPAA in Research section to find out about your obligations.
Institutional Review Boards
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee that reviews, monitors, and approves research that involve human subjects. IRBs exist to help protect the rights and welfare of human subjects. IRBs are regulated by federal and state regulations. IRBs work with investigators to ensure that their research is conducted in accordance with the policies and regulations that relate to human subject research.
Boston University has two IRBs—one on the Medical Campus and one on the Charles River Campus. Please select the IRB that is appropriate for you.
Medical Campus
Charles River Campus
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