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HRPP Manual Section 5-2-D

Institutional Review Board Reliance Office

The descriptions provided below are intended to indicate the kinds of responsibilities of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Reliance office personnel. The descriptions shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular person or position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty. The descriptions are not intended to limit or displace applicable Michigan State University Human Resources policies and procedures for employment.

The manager of the IRB Reliance office shall:

  1. Manage daily operations for IRB Reliance office, including processing and managing submissions related to IRB reliance.

  2. Provide supervision to IRB reliance personnel and monitor daily work activities of the office.

  3. Conduct annual evaluations of IRB reliance personnel.

  4. Lead communications with external IRBs, MSU researchers, MSU units, Henry Ford Health, other academic institutions, hospitals, clinics, and others to facilitate IRB reliance.

  5. Coordinate and manage the IRB reliance office processes to assure IRB submissions are processed consistently, in a timely manner, and in compliance with regulatory requirements, policies, and procedures for human subject research.

  6. Assist with implementing process changes, HRPP policies and procedures, and improvements to IRB reliance as needed.

  7. Analyze, research, and compile information on policies, procedures, and related operational needs to assist with submissions and reports related to IRB reliance.

  8. Assist in the MSU Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) reaccreditation efforts.

  9. Coordinate with the Compliance office as necessary, including post approval monitoring activities and noncompliance investigations.

  10. Coordinate with the IRB office as necessary.

  11. Promote a customer service-oriented atmosphere.

  12. Prepare and present reports to the HRPP director regarding recent activities.

  13. Attend IRB meetings as needed.

  14. Perform ancillary reviews as needed including review of submissions that identify federal funding.

  15. Process single IRB designation requests, engagement, and not human subject research determinations as needed.

  16. Perform other projects or tasks as assigned.

See HRPP Manual 5-2-C “Institutional Review Board” for IRB Administrator responsibilities related to the IRB Reliance Office.

This policy and procedure supersedes those previously drafted.

Approved By: Vice President for Research and Innovation on 12-3-2025.

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