Office of Research Integrity and Assurance

Human Subjects

ANNOUNCEMENT: RAMP IRB Implementation

The IRB is transitioning to a new submission and review platform called RAMP on July 29, 2024. Information regarding RAMP and other IRB information is being distributed via the new IRB listserv. If you would like to be added to the listserv, please email IRB@gmu.edu. More information about the IRB transition to RAMP can be found here: NEW IRB System at George Mason

Please note that a modification will need to be submitted to RAMP for any approved and active studies to populate the study record. Instructions on how to populate an approved and active study record from IRBNet into RAMP:

Highlights:

  • RAMP will replace IRBNet.
  • RAMP IRB is now live and the only platform available to submit new studies or modifications.
  • The IRB team will use this email listserv to share RAMP updates.

Human Subjects in Research

For ORIA COVID-19 Updates, click  HERE

Ethical Review of Research Involving Humans

ORIA is responsible for Mason’s program for promoting excellence in all aspects of research with humans.  A fundamental principle of ORIA’s program is that all research with human subjects must be reviewed prior to a project’s initiation. Ethical review of projects will either be conducted by ORIA staff or members of the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB is a committee composed of faculty, staff, and community members who are trained in issues related to protecting human participants in research.   ORIA also collaborates with other institutional review units on campus such as the the Institutional Biosafety Committee and the Radiation Safety Committee to further achieve ORIA’s primary goal of assuring that the rights and welfare of human research subjects in activities conducted at and/or under the auspices of George Mason University are adequately protected.

Note:  All researchers must receive written approval from ORIA prior to conducting a research project involving human subjects.

ORIA is responsible for:

  • Policy and procedure development
  • Triage and review of GMU research projects involving human subjects
  • Institutional Review Board (IRB) support
  • Ethics training

Getting Started:

  1. All human subjects related forms (including applications, consent forms, etc.) must be submitted through our online protocol management system, RAMP.
  2. Review our FAQ page
  3. Review our IRB Order of Operations Flowchart
  4. Review our policies and procedures
  5. Fill out an application form
  6. If relevant, review the research in schools page
  7. Watch a tutorial video to learn the basics of submitting via RAMP, ideal for new researchers at George Mason University
  8. Watch a tutorial video to learn how to submit a new study via RAMP, ideal for seasoned Mason researchers
  9. If you have any questions or to make an appointment with IRB staff for assistance, please e-mail irb@gmu.edu

Last updated 7/26/2024

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