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CWRU Institutional Review Board

A component of the Case Western Reserve University Human Research Protection Program is the CWRU Institutional Review Board, which reviews social, behavioral, educational and low-risk biomedical research. 

The CWRU Institutional Review Board (IRB) must review and approve all human research conducted by faculty, staff and students—including research conducted off-site when acting in connection with their university appointments or as university employees or students.

Research may be initiated in any university department at any of CWRU's schools: 

The CWRU IRB also reviews biomedical research proposals that do not involve patients or employees at one of CWRU’s four Cleveland affiliated hospitals (Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Affairs Medical Center, MetroHealth).

The IRB reviews and oversees research to ensure that it meets ethical principles and complies with federal regulations, state laws and university policies. The IRB is composed of members from various disciplines in the dental, medical, social and behavioral sciences, as well as community members.

Case Western Reserve University Federalwide Assurance

CWRU has a Federalwide Assurance (FWA) with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Human Research Protections OHRP.

  • CWRU FWA number: FWA00004428
  • CWRU IRB registration number: IRB00000683

Read the terms of the Federalwide Assurance

Composition of the CWRU IRB

To comply with the federal regulations regarding human study participants in research (45 CFR 46), the CWRU IRB must consist of at least five members. These members are appointed by the university provost and aim "...to promote complete and adequate review of research activities commonly conducted" at the university.

In addition to faculty members with expertise in scientific areas, the CWRU IRB includes at least one member whose primary concerns are in a nonscientific area. Also, at least one member must be from the community and not affiliated with the institution.

The CWRU IRB may, in its discretion, invite individuals with competence in special areas to assist in the review of issues that require expertise beyond or in addition to what is available on the IRB. These consultants, however, do not vote with the IRB.

IRB Chair and Vice-Chairs

IRB Contacts

Questions or feedback for the IRB? Contact the CWRU IRB Office (cwru-irb@case.edu or fax: 216.368.467) or any of the following individuals.