Dear Faculty Sponsors,
We are writing to make you aware of a change in how you will sign off on your student-led projects. The new UVMClick (opens in a new window) electronic protocol submission software is due to be released either this semester or early next semester.
Currently you are able to review the paper protocol materials that the student has prepared under your guidance and you sign-off prior to the student submitting to the IRB office.
When we switch to the new system, the student will build their protocol in the system using a combination of electronic forms and as applicable, paper forms, that will be uploaded as attachments to the system. Faculty sponsors will be assigned as “ancillary reviewers”. Ancillary review is a process in the new system that allows us to “forward” submissions either as an FYI or for formal approval. As a faculty sponsor you will be required to review and sign off on the protocol submission, just as you do now, but electronically through the UVMClick system.
Protocol submission guides, as well as guides for ancillary reviewers, have been developed and are currently being vetted. Acknowledging acceptance in the system is easy, however you will need some guidance regarding how to access this student’s protocol submission in the new system. Just as it does now, the IRB will not begin its review of the student’s project until we have received your approval to move forward.
We will continue to keep you posted about availability of the guides and timeline to release.
As always, you are welcome to contact us at 656-5040 or by email at rpo@uvm.edu with any questions.
Thank you,
RPO Staff