Version Date: April 1, 2012
After an IRB application is submitted by the study team in ARROW, the application may undergo scientific review before the IRB review process begins. Understanding what happens to an IRB application after it is submitted can help study teams better navigate the review process. This FAQ describes the different paths an application may take before the IRB review process begins. Please also see What Happens After a New Application Is Submitted to the Health Sciences or Minimal Risk IRB: IRB Administrative Review and IRB Pre-Review for information on what happens to an application after scientific review is complete or if no scientific review is required.
Some initial review applications as well as some full changes of protocol may undergo one or more review processes before the application is received by the HS-IRBs Office. These review processes are:
Based on answers provided by the study team in the IRB
application, ARROW will typically automatically assign applications that require
scientific review to the appropriate committee. The HS-IRBs Office also can
assign applications to any of these committees as needed. For additional information about what studies require scientific review, see Scientific Review Requirement guidance .
No. The review committees described above are managed by
offices separate from the HS-IRBs Office. Study teams who have questions about
the scientific review process should contact the review committees directly.
No. If required, scientific review must be completed before the IRB review process can begin.