IREx now includes an automated local considerations feature that streamlines information collected in the HRP surveys by pre-populating the data from a site’s Institutional Profile, based on study elements identified by the Reviewing IRB. First, the Reviewing IRB selects applicable study elements (e.g., children, genetic testing) and can add up to five custom questions on the HRP and/or PI surveys. Then, IREx will pull the relevant questions related to the study elements from the IP into the HRP Survey. The HRP and PI surveys will have a new section, Study Elements Relevant to Local Review, with pre-populated information from their Institutional Profile (IP) that applies or custom questions, which the Relying HRPP can confirm or edit as needed.
Category Archives: Institutional Profile
Enhanced Feature: Institutional Profile PDF removed from Local Considerations Export
The Institutional Profile (IP) PDF is no longer included in the local considerations export. This reduces duplicative review with information that may conflict on a per study basis now that relevant study elements, as indicated by the Reviewing IRB, is pre-populated from the IP into the HRP Surveys for revie
Enhancement: Updated Institutional Profile (IP)
IREx modified the Institutional Profile (IP) by replacing most file upload fields with text boxes and included new fields in Sections 1, 2, and 4. On May 20, 2025, all IPs were set to ‘Incomplete’, and HRPP Liaisons are required to complete the new text fields replacing the file uploads; answer the new questions in Sections 1 & 2; and review/update Section 4 if currently or plan to use IREx as the single IRB. Relying HRPPs will be required to update before they can cede reliance. The pop up Relying HRPPs see when their IP is incomplete is updated to include information about these changes. The IP PDFs on the IREx website is updated once new IP questions are completed.
Updated Feature: IREx surveys and PDFs now support line breaks
To make reading easier for all HRPPs (and nicer-looking PDFs), the IREx IP now supports line breaks in open text fields. Line breaks appear in the web view and PDFs of the Institutional Profile (along with the HRP and PI surveys). Liaisons can edit existing/completed IP and HRP survey responses to include line breaks, and the breaks will appear after submitting the changes.
Updated Feature: New question included on Institutional Profile (IP) Exports
The new IP question, “Do you have local instructions for investigators when relying on another IRB?” will now be included on the IP CSV download.
New Feature: The Institutional Profile (IP) now available for CSV download
The Institutional Profile (IP) is available to export as CSV format both on the public website “Participating Institutions” page and within the IREx portal on the “Find Other Site” page. To download a CSV file of ALL responses from ALL IREx Participating Institutions, click Export Institutional Profiles (IP) and either Export IP Labels (all questions and answers written out as they appear on the IP) or Export IP Raw (variable names and raw data). Users can also download a CSV file of IP responses from one specific institution by clicking CSV button next to that institution’s name.
New Feature: Annual reminder to update Institutional Profile (IP) sent to HRPPs
IREx will now send an annual reminder to IREx Liaisons (IRB/HRPP personnel) from the date the institution last updated their Institutional Profile. The reminder is to encourage HRPPs to keep their IP up to date as state laws or institutional policies may change.
Updated Feature: Institutional Profile now allows Save & Return Later feature
Institutions wishing to complete or make iterative updates to their Institutional Profile can now press “Save & Return Later” to publish what was completed or updated without having to complete the entire profile. This helps make it easier for HRPPs to make quick updates.
New Feature: Institutional Profiles Download is Publicly Available
The IREx Institutional Profiles (IPs) are now publicly available for download as a PDF on the IREx Members Page of the public website. The new PDF will include a time-stamp for the date the IP was last updated.
The IREx IP contains basic information about an institution that others can use to determine if they feel comfortable relying on, or serving as the Reviewing IRB for, that institution. In addition to creating greater transparency among HRPPs and IRBs, making the IPs publically available will facilitate and streamline the single IRB process by making information more readily available. Moreover, this fosters high-quality information sharing between institutions.