Please read this first: Bushnell IRB Policies and Procedures Manual 4-25-2025.pdf

 
Research Protocols for IRB Review are accepted at any time and will be reviewed when they are submitted to determine the category of review (exempt, expedited, or full review) as determined by the IRB. Exempt and expedited reviews may take up to 2 weeks to review.  Research that requires a full board review takes up to one month to review since the Board meets and votes once a month. Protocols requiring full review must be submitted at least two weeks before a full Board meeting.

 

IRB Application Submission Due  
Full Board Review Meeting Date**  
Sept 14, 2026
Sept 28, 2026 
Oct 12, 2026 Oct 26, 2026
Nov 16, 2026  
Nov 30, 2026 
 
Please note regarding Summer 2027:  
Between May 15 - August 15, 2027, the IRB does NOT convene, nor does it process or review submissions, as board members are not on contract. All submissions must be made prior to summer within the Spring 2026 deadlines.

 

 **Full Board Review Meeting dates are subject to change 

If you have any questions about IRB, please send an email to irb@bushnell.edu.

IRB Introduction

In accordance with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects (45 CFR 46), Bushnell University assumes oversight of the protection of the rights and welfare of human participants who participate in research conducted by faculty, staff, students, or community members.

Bushnell University maintains an Institutional Review Board (IRB) competent to review research, ethics training, and other protocols involving human participants to evaluate risk, amelioration of potential risk, and ethical consideration of behalf of human participants. Please see the Policies and Procedures Manual.

It is the function of the IRB to (1) determine and certify that all projects reviewed by the IRB conform to the regulations and policies set forth regarding the health, welfare, safety, rights, and privileges of human participants; and (2) assist investigators in complying with regulations. To this effect, the IRB establishes policies and procedures to govern research involving human participants.

The IRB aims to provide a service to Bushnell University and the public by facilitating ethical treatment of research participants while at the same time supporting the investigator’s endeavor to advance knowledge.

The IRB is a five-person faculty committee composed of the following individuals: the Chair or Co-chairs, at least, one nonscientific faculty member, and one member not affiliated with the university (Bushnell IRB Members).

IRB Certificate

Have a research project that requires IRB approval? Complete the IRB Human Participant Research course and include your completion certificate with your application. Click the link to the course above and click "enroll me" to begin. 

  • Preparation

    Name Description Status Source
    IRB Decision Tree

    This checklist is intended to assist investigators in determining if their activity is considered human participant research involving human participants and would therefore require IRB Review. If there is any doubt as to whether or not your activities would qualify as human participant research, please contact the Institutional Review Board at irb@bushnell.edu.

    Required forms.office.com
    Research Protocol for IRB Review

    The purpose of this application is to request a review of a project by the Institutional Review Board for proposed human participant research.

    Required nwcu.sharepoint.com
    IRB Amendment Request Form

    This form is to be used for requesting changes to an IRB approved research project. 

    Required nwcu.sharepoint.com
    Faculty Approval for Student Research

    Faculty advisors of student research must attest that they discussed the research with students, reviewed all required materials, and approve of the research. This document must be part of the student's Research Protocol for IRB Review submission.

    Required nwcu.sharepoint.com
    While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.
  • Submission

    Name Description Status Source
    Research Protocol for IRB Review Submission

    Please submit the completed Research Protocol for IRB Review and all required documents using this submission form.

    Required forms.office.com
    IRB Final Report Form

    Complete this form at the conclusion of your research.

    Required forms.office.com
    While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.
While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.
Edit the following settings for all selected Resources.
Select a start and end date and time
Start: Start:
End: End:
  • Documents

    Required
    Written Informed Consent Form Template for Adults.docx
    Required
    Consent to Record Form - Adult.docx
    While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.
While focused on a reorder icon, press the Enter key or spacebar to "select" the icon. While a reorder icon is selected, pressing the up and down arrows will change the order of the selected item within the list. Pressing Enter key or spacebar again will drop the selected item at that location in the list.
Edit the following settings for all selected Resources.
Select a start and end date and time
Start: Start:
End: End: