Human Subjects Research

The Wake Forest University Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee of faculty, staff, and community members that reviews research about living people. They are charged with protecting the rights and welfare of human participants involved in research conducted under the auspices of Wake Forest University, in accordance with its Federal-wide Assurance and IRB Policies and Procedures.

Do you need IRB approval for your proposed research activity?

If you are gathering information about living individuals, you may be conducting human research.

Don’t risk noncompliance with University policy or federal regulations! Contact irb@wfu.edu for guidance and documentation of the determination. Only the IRB can make this determination.

Remember, no research activities involving human participants (including advertising or recruiting) can take place until the research application is reviewed and approved by the IRB.

Please note that most applications (those that qualify for Flex, Exempt, or Expedited level review) can be submitted anytime and are reviewed in the order submitted. Applications requiring review by the Full Board should be submitted by one week before the meeting to be considered for that month’s agenda.

IRB Full Board Meeting schedule:

Please note that if no full board agenda items are submitted by one week before the meeting, the meeting may be cancelled:

• January 9, 2024 (submit by Jan 2)
• February 13, 2024 (submit by Feb 6)
• March 12, 2024 (submit by March 5)
• April 9, 2024 (submit by April 2)
• May 14, 2024 (submit by May 7)
• June 11, 2024 (submit by June 4)