Human research

The University's Institutional Review Board (IRB), through Research Integrity, is responsible for protecting the rights and welfare of human research participants for all research activities conducted by, or under the supervision of University and Affiliate faculty, staff and students regardless of the funding and the location of the project. The jurisdiction the IRB covers all research involving human subjects conducted at the University of Nevada, Reno, the University School of Medicine, and Affiliates (i.e. Desert Research Institute, Truckee Meadows Community College, Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center, VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System, Nevada Department of Health & Human Services, and Renown Health).

The University recognizes Research Integrity as the sole entity with the authority to make exempt and "not human subject research" determinations.

No human subject research conducted by University/Affiliate researchers (including student research) may be initiated until Research Integrity publishes written documentation of exempt determination or IRB approval. To receive Federal Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) support for research involving human subjects, institutions must have a Federalwide Assurance (FWA). FWAs require that an institution will comply with the federal regulations in 45 CFR part 46, including requirements for an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to provide oversight of research involving human participants. The University of Nevada, Reno Federalwide Assurance (FWA) is FWA00002306.

The University's internal IRB is registered with OHRP:

  • University of Nevada, Reno Institutional Review Board oversees social, behavioral, and educational research and biomedical research and clinical trials: IRB00000215

For information about what constitutes "human subject research" and requirements for the protection of human research participants, see our quickstart guide for researchers and affiliates and the FAQs for the IRB process and the Human Research Protection Policy Manual.

View of the back of a research participant with sensors attached with colorful wires to head and looking at a computer

General Institutional Review Board information

General IRB info
Four researchers around a table holding cell phones up to show a crisis text service

Human Research Protection Policy manual

Policy manual
Two researchers with test equipment in front of a one-way window with a research participant on the other side of the glass

Info for researchers & affiliates

For researchers
Research participant sitting at a test set-up to monitor eye movement and reaction for a neuroscience experiment

Info for IRB members

For IRB members
Two gerontology researchers at a counter top with a research participant

Info for research participants

For participants