Institutional Review Board (IRB)

NDSU’s Commitment to Protecting Human Research Participants

North Dakota State University is dedicated to safeguarding the rights, safety, and well‑being of all individuals who participate in NDSU research. All research involving human subjects is conducted in accordance with regulations from the Department of Health & Human Services, the Food and Drug Administration, and other applicable agencies (see NDSU Policy #345).

These protections ensure that:

• Risks to participants are minimized

• Risks are reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits

• Recruitment methods are fair

• Participants receive sufficient information to make a voluntary, informed decision

• Privacy and confidentiality are respected

• Additional safeguards are provided for vulnerable populations

FederalWide Assurance

NDSU holds an approved FederalWide Assurance (FWA) with the Office for Human Research Protections (DHHS), #FWA00002439. Under the terms of this assurance, the NDSU Institutional Review Board (IRB) must review or certify all human subjects research before it begins to ensure participants’ rights and welfare are protected.

The IRB includes NDSU faculty, student members, and individuals unaffiliated with the university. Members bring diverse experience and expertise to support the review of the wide range of research conducted at NDSU. IRB members are appointed by the Vice President for Research and Creative Activity, who serves as the Institutional Official.

In addition to reviewing new studies, the IRB is responsible for:

• Oversight of ongoing research

• Addressing participant concerns or complaints

• Reviewing reports of noncompliance

• Providing education and guidance on human research protections to the NDSU research community