An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee established to review and oversee research involving human participants, ensuring the protection of their rights, safety, and welfare. The UML IRB evaluates study protocols to confirm that risks are minimized, potential benefits are maximized, and participant consent is informed and voluntary. Its primary role is to ensure compliance with ethical principles outlined in the Belmont Report, as well as regulatory requirements like the Common Rule and FDA guidelines. By providing oversight, the IRB fosters responsible research practices and builds public trust in the ethical conduct of human subjects research.

Silhouette of man's head with words integrity, values, ethics, respect around it Image by Tryfonov

Research studies must be reviewed and approved by the IRB before any study procedures begin, including recruitment or gathering of data if:

  • you plan to conduct research, which is defined by DHHS 45 CFR 46 as being a “systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, that is designed to develop or contribute to generalizable knowledge”, and
  • it involves human subjects who are defined as “a living individual about whom an investigator (whether professional or student) conducting research:
    • Obtains information or biospecimens through intervention or interaction with the individual, and, uses studies, or analyzes the information or biospecimens; or
    • Obtains, uses, studies, analyzes, or generates identifiable private information or identifiable biospecimens.

The IRB serves as a resource for faculty, staff and students for all research involving human subjects at the University of Massachusetts Lowell.

Detailed instructions on how to submit a research study to the IRB can be found on the IRB Protocol Submission tab.

Additional help is always available at the IRB Office by phone at 978-934-4134 or email: IRB@uml.edu.

We look forward to assisting you!

Federal Wide Assurance:

FWA #: 00000215
Expires: 8/19/2029