The mission of the Institutional Review Board of the Medical School (IRBMED) is to protect the rights and welfare of participants in clinical trials and other human subjects research studies by careful review and monitoring of research in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and University policies. The IRBMED assists investigators with the design and conduct of research projects to minimize risk to human participants, provides guidance to the University and its researchers on ethical and procedural issues related to the use of human participants in research, and facilitates compliance with governmental and University policies pertaining to human subjects research. To perform its review, approval, and monitoring functions, the IRBMED is composed of six (6) review boards, each of which complies with applicable regulations concerning membership and conduct. The IRBMED oversees the protection of human participants in research conducted at Michigan Medicine which includes the University of Michigan Medical School and the UM Health System (UMHS) as well as research conducted off-site by faculty and staff as University employees or in connection with their University appointments. The IRBMED also reviews FDA-regulated research or medical intervention research conducted by faculty and staff from other U-M units including Dentistry, and the campuses of U-M Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn. IRBMED serves as IRB of Record for multi-site research or for individual investigators via use of IRB Authorization Agreements, including the nationally recognized SMART IRB agreement.
The IRBMED is firmly committed to advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, and belonging, which are core to the culture and values of the Medical School Office of Research. Our community supports recruiting and cultivating a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Michigan and the world. We strive to create a work culture where each team member feels respected, valued, and safe.