Research with Human Participants

Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) is committed to protecting the rights, welfare, and privacy of individuals participating in research. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) ensures that all research involving human subjects complies with federal regulations, ethical principles, and institutional policies.

The IRB is an independent regulatory board of the University operating under a Federal wide Assurance (FWA) with the Office of Human Research Protection (OHRP) of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Its actions are performed in accordance with ethical principles highlighted in The Belmont Report, Code of Federal Regulations at 45 CFR 46, and must conform with all other applicable federal, state, local laws, and regulations.

The Board is tasked with:

• Protecting Human Subjects: A peer review process for ensuring research with human subjects meets ethical standards and the protection of human subjects.
• Reviewing and Approving Research Protocols: Meeting federal approval standards, informed consent procedures, and data confidentiality measures.
• Ongoing Monitoring and Compliance: Receipt of and approval of any modifications/changes to approved expedited and full board review studies. Conduct periodic reviews of approved studies and address concerns related to human subject protections, such as ensuring the receipt of unanticipated problems/reportable events and notification of closure of the study.

Research with Human Subjects Policy (IRB)

Any project meeting the definition of research with human subjects as outlined in the policy on Submission of Human Subjects Research to the IRB conducted and overseen by an agent of FDU, MUST be submitted to, reviewed, and approved by the IRB BEFORE implementation. Agents of FDU are faculty, students, and staff who are completing research on behalf of, for funding provided to, and/or representing FDU as an investigator on a study involving human subjects and must conform with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

The IRB is also charged with the education of faculty, students, and staff on ethical responsibility for the protection of research participants. Workshops are currently being developed for the 2024-2025 academic year. Please check the IRB Education page (link). 

Monthly Calendar of Meetings for Academic Year 2026-2027

The Academic Year IRB meetings take place on the third Wednesday of each month. 

Expedited and exempt determination applications are reviewed at any time throughout the school year. The IRB office is open year-round except during university holidays/breaks, Summer Fridays, and administration closures.

Full board meetings are scheduled according to the below monthly meeting calendar during the school year. All information is requested to be submitted at the latest, one week before the meeting date by 12 PM on the due date below. All information is requested to be submitted as early as possible to ensure a thorough pre-review is completed. The calendar below also notes when the Board is not in session.

December 2026 and Summer 2027 Review Information

Exempt determinations and expedited projects are reviewed during December and the summer months (May through August).  If there is an emergency request for a full review during these times, please contact Kim Diccianni at dicciann@fdu.edu for review options.

 Projects submitted close to winter break closure will not be reviewed until the office reopens in January 2027.