Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The Institutional Review Board (IRB) assists in protecting the rights and welfare of human participants involved in research activities.

DASH RESEARCH IRB – LAUNCHING NOVEMBER 2025

IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE:

Last day to submit a new full board application to the IRB via iMedRIS

FRIDAY, 10/10/2025

This will be the last day the IRB will receive new applications requiring review by the full convened IRB for the Wednesday, 10/22/2025 IRB meeting. Wednesday, 10/22/2025 will be the last meeting of the full board before the blackout period.

Last convened meeting of the IRB utilizing iMedRIS

WEDNESDAY, 10/22/2025

This will be the last meeting the full convened IRB will review new applications. NOTE: Please remember that the PI Response Form for this new application must be submitted NO LATER than Monday, 10/27/2025, in order for the IRB to review and issue approval. If you cannot meet these deadlines, please wait to submit a new application to the IRB via the new electronic system, DASH Research, on 11/10/2025.
This will be the last meeting that the IRB will review Form 2: Change Requests & Amendments requiring review by the full convened IRB.
This will be the last meeting that the IRB will review Form 3: Continuing Review requiring review by the full convened IRB. NOTE: Please check the expiration date of your study so that you do not have a lapse in IRB approval, as the next convened meeting of the full board will not be until Wednesday, 11/12/2025!

Last day to make a submission to the IRB via iMedRIS

MONDAY, 10/27/2025

This will be the last day the IRB will accept the following documents in the current electronic system, iMedRIS:
- PI Response Forms
- UTHSC IRB Form 1: Study/project applications that qualify for an Not Human Subject Research (NHSR) or exempt determination or can be reviewed under the expedited regulations
- Form 2: Change Request & Amendments that can be reviewed under expedited regulations
- Form 3: Continuing Reviews that can be reviewed under the expedited regulations
- Form 4: Unanticipated Problems
- Form 6: Recruitment Materials
- Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB)/Annual Reports
- Documents from Reviewing IRB
- Form 7: Study Closures

Last day to use iMedRIS

FRIDAY, 10/31/2025

This will be the last day the IRB will be able to issue an outcome letter for any type of submission via iMedRIS. There will be NO exceptions.
Be sure to print off any research materials you may need to conduct your studies from iMedRIS, e.g., consent form(s), survey(s), questionnaire(s), etc.

Blackout period

MONDAY, 11/3/2025 - FRIDAY, 11/7/2025

During this period researchers will NOT be able to make a submission to the IRB.
During this period researchers will NOT be able to access any of their research materials, e.g., consent form(s), survey(s), questionnaire(s), etc.
Be sure to print off any research materials you may need from iMedRIS, e.g., consent form(s), survey(s), questionnaire(s), etc. BEFORE these dates.
During this period, IRB staff will NOT be able to accept submissions or issue outcome letters to researchers.
During this period, all IRB approved studies/projects will be migrated from iMedRIS to DASH Research. This includes studies/projects with the iMedRIS status of “Approved,” “Approved-Awaiting Payment,” “Acknowledged,” or “Acknowledged-Awaiting Payment."
If your study/project is listed as “Approved Pending Administrative Provisos,” “Deferred,” or “Acknowledged Pending Recommendations,” in iMedRIS your study/project will NOT be migrated to DASH Research. The last day to submit a PI Response Form to the IRB is on or before Monday, 10/27/2025.
If your study/project is listed as “Study Completed” or “Administratively Closed” it will NOT be migrated to DASH Research.
Should you have a compliance issue, an unanticipated problem, emergency use request, etc. during this period, please contact the UTHSC IRB office!

Go Live DASH Research

MONDAY, 11/10/2025

On this date, the IRB will begin accepting submissions via DASH Research
iMedRIS will no longer be available and all IRB submissions must be submitted via DASH Research.
DASH Research Training Resources are available via DASH Research SharePoint
DASH Research Protocols and supplement forms will be available via the IRB's Tools and Guides page.

First convened meeting of the IRB utilizing DASH Research

WEDNESDAY, 11/12/2025

Section 02 of the IRB will meet to review continuations or modifications requiring review by the full board.
New applications will be reviewed at the Wednesday, 11/19/2025 meeting, to allow the board members time to review these submissions.

OTHER INFO:

Stay Connected

Visit the DASH Research IRB site for project milestones, training sessions and educational materials to support a smooth transition.

Join the DASH Research Community site to receive important news and insights.

Demonstration Videos

Coming Soon!

Application Overview
PI-focused Overview and Functionality
Administration and Management

Training

Campus-based institutional review board (IRB) training will be delivered by individuals who are most familiar with or responsible for local program needs. Trainers will participate in multiple core training sessions and gain hands-on experience in preparation for offering training in 2025.

DASH RESEARCH is offering a series of live learning sessions via Microsoft Teams this August and September. Sessions will walk you through the system, show you how to navigate it, and answer your questions in real time.

What to Expect: