News and Announcements
- New IRB Resource: Protocol Narrative Templates
- Protocol narrative templates now available on the IRB’s Forms & Templates page for any researchers who would like to start using them. The protocol narrative is currently an optional resource; however, it will become a required attachment in a future version of the NPS. The HRPP will continue to make additional resources such as templates and examples available to assist our research community.
- Guidance for Consenting Participants with Accessibility Needs
- The HRPP pubslihed new guidance for consenting research participants with limited English proficiency, low literacy, vision impairments, or hearing impairments. This information is meant to help submitters understand the options available for consenting participants with accessibility needs and the details the IRB needs to consider.
- New Protocol Submission xform V3 Published
- The HRPP published an updated version of the New Protocol Submission xform on February 9, 2026. This version has udated help text to assist submitters with answering the questions in the submission form. There is also updated conditioning so that the form displays questions most relevant to the submission type.
- Reminder for Investigator's of their Responsibilities
- The HRPP has published new guidance for Researcher Responsibilities for Oversight of Study Staff. In addition to this resource, the HRPP made available a Study Staff Delegation Log Template as a resource for researchers to track and document study staff.
- New Exempt Study Resources
- Researchers planning to conduct studies that qualify for IRB exempt status can now use the Participant Information Sheet Examples as a guide for developing study enrollment materials. These examples show the minimum information needed to inform potential participants about minimal-to-no risk research studies in simple, everyday language that meets ETSU ethical standards. Please note that non-exempt research requires more stringent informed consent language and processes, and researchers are encouraged to use the Informed Consent Templates for those studies.
- Introducing the Upgraded Form 129
- The IRB Form 129 has been remodeled, relocated, and renamed as the HSR Determination Form. This upgrade is designed to both enhance and expedite the path to finding out if a project requires IRB approval, and it will now be accessed and submitted directly through OneAegis. To use this form, simply log in to OneAegis, then click “Start HSR Determination Form.” (No email to the IRB Office is necessary, unless you just wanted to say hello).
- *OneAegis login access is required to use the HSR Determination Form. Old versions of the Form 129 will no longer be accepted after January 31st. Please contact the IRB Office if you have any questions.
- HRPP Staff Liaison
- Have an IRB question, but not sure who to call? Starting January 2026, HRPP staff members are assigned to serve as the liaison for specific departments or colleges, meaning you and your department will work with the same specialist each time you submit a human research study. Please see the IRB’s Contact Us page to see who serves as your college/department liaison.