Should I Report the Sex or Gender of Study Participants to NIH?

December 16, 2021

NIH uses sex/gender to indicate that either sex or gender may be reported for inclusion enrollment purposes. The NIH encourages investigators to design their data collection instruments in a way that allows the participants to self-identify their sex or gender in a way that is meaningful within the study’s context. Participants always have the option not to identify with either sex/gender category. If both sex and gender identity are collected, investigators may choose which one to report based on the scientific question(s) that are the focus of the study.

Helping To Protect the Privacy of Participants in Non-NIH Funded Research

April 27, 2021

You likely know that for human-participant research funded wholly or in part by NIH, we automatically issue Certificates of Confidentiality (CoCs) as a term and condition of award. CoCs protect identifiable, sensitive information of people who participate from being disclosed to others not associated with the study. But, for human-participant research funded by an entity other than NIH, did you know that you can reach out to us to request a CoC as well? Read on for more!

All About Grants Podcast: Human Subjects’ Research Post-Award

January 5, 2021

So you have confirmed that you are doing human subjects’ research after listening to the first podcast in our human subject mini-series. And you have a clear human subjects’ protection and monitoring plan developed for your application after tuning in to the second episode in the series. What should you keep in mind after the award is made? Tune in to this NIH All About Grants podcast episode for tips about important post-award requirements, annual progress reporting, engaging your IRB and NIH when a protocol change is needed, and more.

New Human Research Protection Training Available!

December 1, 2020

Reminder: Investigators and all key personnel involved in human subjects research are required to receive education in the protection of human subjects.  One way to satisfy this requirement is by completing the newly launched Human Research Protection Training offered by the HHS Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP). 

Exceptions to Use of a Single IRB During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency

November 2, 2020

Conducting research involving human subjects during COVID? Read here for information on requesting an exception to the use of a single IRB.

NIH released a Guide Notice to inform the extramural research community how NIH is implementing the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP)’s determination of Exception to the Single IRB Review Requirements for Certain HHS-Conducted or -Supported Cooperative Research Activities Subject to the 2018 Requirements During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency.