When a GVSU faculty member, staff member or student is collaborating with a researcher from another institution, the GVSU Institutional Review Board (IRB) will consider relying on the IRB review completed by the other institution.  This typically occurs when the research is being conducted at a hospital, in a K-12 school system, or at another university.  If the research is associated with a federal grant, the researchers may be required to use a single IRB.

Upon receiving the request to rely, ORCI will contact the reviewing IRB to determine if they will allow the GVSU IRB to rely upon their review.  If they agree, both IRBs will sign an IRB Authorization Agreement and the GVSU IRB will issue a formal letter accepting the other IRB’s review.  If the reviewing IRB does not agree to the reliance, the GVSU researcher will need to submit for GVSU IRB review.  In this case, ORCI will contact the GVSU researcher with the next steps.

This process can be time-consuming, and may take one week to several months to be completed.  Plan your research accordingly.

GVSU as the Reviewing IRB

The GVSU IRB will consider acting as the reviewing IRB for other institutions.  To request this, follow the process above, except answer ‘no’ in step 6.  Complete the application as usual.  ORCI will contact the other IRB during the review process to execute the IRB Authorization Agreement or .  If the research already has GVSU IRB approval, submit an Amendment Request form in OneAegis to request approval to add an external researcher/research location.  ORCI will then proceed with executing the IRB Authorization Agreement.

SMART IRB

SMART IRB is a platform which facilitates IRB reliance agreements in multi-institution research studies.  To use SMART IRB for a study, the collaborator's institution must also participate in SMART IRB.  Search the list of participating institutions here:  Participating Institutions | SMART IRB.

If your collaborator is the primary investigator and their institution will be the IRB of record, they should follow their institution's process for initiating the SMART IRB reliance.  The GVSU investigator will follow the steps outlined in the blue box on this webpage to request the IRB reliance; there are no additional steps to the GVSU investigator to utilize this platform. 

Research at Spectrum Health

The GVSU and Spectrum Health IRBs have an existing agreement that covers most faculty and student research conducted collaboratively by the two institutions.  If the research will be conducted at Spectrum Health, they will serve as the reviewing IRB.  When submitting the Research Intake Form at Spectrum Health, indicate the research falls under the existing reliance agreement so that it is routed appropriately.  Spectrum Health requires that their Reliance Screening Form be completed and attached to the Research Intake Form.  Once the Spectrum Health IRB review is complete, follow the above steps to request that GVSU rely upon the completed Spectrum Health review.  All GVSU researchers must complete the GVSU-required CITI training, as well as any additional training required by the Spectrum Health IRB.  The research cannot begin until the research team has received approval letters from both IRBs.

Research and Quality Improvement Activities at Mercy Health Saint Mary’s

The GVSU and Mercy Health Saint Mary’s IRBs have an existing agreement that covers student research only.  The GVSU student will need to start the Mercy Health research process with the Mercy Health Research and Innovation Department by submitting a consultation request form. Once the Mercy Health IRB review is complete, follow the above steps to request that GVSU rely upon the completed Mercy Health IRB review. 

Mercy Health also requires student quality improvement activities be reviewed by the quality improvement team before being conducted.  These QI projects do not need to be submitted to the GVSU IRB for review, but Mercy Health has recommended that the student complete the Quality Improvement vs. Research Determination Checklist and retain for their records.  

Individual Investigator Agreements

Individual Investigator Agreements (IIA) are used when a GVSU researcher is collaborating with an external researcher who is not covered by a Federalwide Assurance (FWA).  Most commonly, this occurs when the external collaborator is an independent consultant or works for a nonprofit organization. IIAs allow the GVSU IRB to extend its FWA to provide oversight of the research activities of the external collaborator.  By entering into the IIA, the external collaborator is agreeing to comply with all applicable federal and state research regulations as well as all GVSU research policies and IRB determinations. 

External collaborators on studies that qualify for exempt IRB review do not need to complete the IIA.  The IIA is only used for research that receives approval through expedited of full-board IRB review.

If the external collaborator is associated with an institution that has an IRB, an IIA cannot be used and the above process for reliance will instead be considered. 

Questions on IRB Reliance Agreements or IIAs?

The Office of Research Compliance and Integrity is available to answer questions regarding these processes:  [email protected] or (616) 331-3197.