Update: MSU Human Participant Research Expansion

May 20, 2021

Currently, restrictions to in-person interactions with human research participants by MSU employees, MSU students, or agents of MSU are in place until the activity is permitted under a Tier and a Human Research Plan for a Safe Return is approved.

With recent changes to CDC guidance, State of Michigan requirements, and Michigan Department of Health and Human Services epidemic orders, we are working with the university to evaluate its impact on human research activities, including use of masks, vaccination status, and the requirement for all in-person research with participants that can be done remotely must be done remotely.

While that evaluation occurs, we are moving forward to expand in-person research with participants permitted under Tier 3. The Tiers provide a phased approach for in-person interactions with research participants. Effective immediately, Human Research Plans may be submitted for research that falls within Tier 3.

For research conducted in the U.S., including Michigan, Tier 3 now includes research that is conducted in settings with established COVID-19 safety precautions and COVID-19 exposure risk is mitigated with PPE, social distancing, and reduced contact time with participants. For any research that requires domestic travel, MSU requirements to obtain approval for domestic travel must be followed.

For research conducted internationally, project specific determinations will be made on whether a Human Research Plan may be submitted. Please contact Tammy Wright (wrigh538@msu.edu) to determine if a plan may be submitted. For any research that requires international travel, MSU requirements to obtain approval for international travel must be followed.

We appreciate your patience and assistance as we work through quickly changing requirements and will provide further updates on the impact to human research activities.

For more information, including the Tiers and the Human Research Plan form, please visit the MSU HRPP COVID-19 webpages at https://hrpp.msu.edu/COVID-19/index.html

If you have any questions, please contact Tammy Wright (wrigh538@msu.edu).