About the HRPO/IRBs

Columbia University's Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) is the central administrative office for the University’s Human Research Protection Program (HRPP). The HRPO is responsible for the management and oversight of all Columbia University (CU) IRBs at CU-Morningside (MS) and Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC). The HRPO and IRBs are responsible for protecting the rights, welfare, and well-being of research participants. In collaboration with other HRPP offices, they ensure that all human subject research conducted at Columbia University or by Columbia affiliates, regardless of the location of that research, is ethical and compliant with federal regulations and institutional policies.
 

The office provides IRB consultations, educational programs, and facilitates the execution of collaborative IRB reliance agreements when applicable, to streamline the review process and support the research community.

Internal IRBs

The Columbia HRPP has 6 IRBs, 5 convened boards (IRBs 1-5), and one expedited review IRB (IRB EXP). They are responsible for reviewing human subjects research conducted by faculty, employees, staff, and students at CU-MS, CUIMC, and NYP. Additional IRBs may be added as necessary to ensure adequate and timely review of research proposals submitted for consideration.

  • IRB 1 Roster: Registration number IRB00000461 - Effective Date 04/01/2026
  • IRB 2 Roster: Registration number IRB00002973 - Effective Date 06/01/2026
  • IRB 3 Roster: Registration number IRB00003506 - Effective Date 05/01/2026
  • IRB 4 Roster: Registration number IRB00006882 - Effective Date 05/01/2026
  • IRB 5 Roster: Registration number IRB00010414 - Effective Date 03/13/2026

  • IRB EXP Roster: Registration number IRB00008612 - Effective Date 06/01/2026

     

External IRBs

CUIMC and NYP have IRB Authorization Agreements with the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI), the Weill Medical Center of Cornell University, the National Cancer Institute Central IRB (CIRB), CU-MS, Massachusetts General Hospital/Partners (central IRB for the NeuroNEXT trials), and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (central IRB for the HVTN studies) to rely on reviews by their IRBs for certain types of research projects. Details regarding each agreement are provided in the IRB Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

2026 IRB Meeting Schedule (January - December 2026)
 

The IRB conducts quality improvement initiatives to evaluate and strengthen the quality of our human research protection program. The primary purpose of these initiatives is to increase the efficiency of our performance and ensure compliance with federal regulations for the protection of human subjects in research.

The IRB has the responsibility to oversee the conduct of research that it approves. Consistent with this responsibility, the IRB may audit research studies conducted at Columbia University or Columbia University Irving Medical Center, as well as research in which faculty, students, and/or staff of Columbia University are engaged outside the institution. The Compliance Oversight Team (COT) is responsible for conducting such audits, and the COT Director reports to the Associate Vice President for Human Research Protection (AVP-Human Research Protection).


When, as a result of an audit, or in the course of routine IRB business, incidents of noncompliance with federal regulations or Columbia University IRB policies are identified, they are handled in accordance with the IRB Policy on Noncompliance in Human Subjects Research. Incidents of noncompliance are reviewed and managed in several ways, depending on the noncompliance, and a plan of corrective and preventive action is documented for each incident of noncompliance.
 

The Federalwide Assurance (FWA) is the institution's commitment to comply with federal regulations for the protection of human subjects in research.

 

Terms of Assurance US Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) Federalwide Assurance (FWA)

Additional FWA information can be obtained from the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP)
Assurance page: https://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/regulations-and-policy/guidance/faq/assurance-process/index.html

 

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