If the sabbatical involves human research or use of animals, additional approvals may be needed for the sabbatical project. For research involving humans, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) provides this oversight. For projects involving animals, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) will review the project. It is the researcher’s responsibility to determine if approval is needed. If it is not clear whether IRB or IACUC review is needed, consult the Office of Research Compliance and Integrity (ORCI) which supports both committees via email or phone: [email protected] or (616) 331-3197.

Researchers do not need to have final IRB or IACUC approval at the time of the application for sabbatical.

The applicant should be aware that the rules governing human subject research in other countries can be very different. In many cases research conducted in foreign countries takes several months for final approval due to slow response times from appropriate authorizing officials in the host country. Careful advance planning is strongly recommended. Please refer to the IRB policy 120, “Compliance with applicable laws and regulations,” for more information on this requirement.

Export controls are in place to prevent foreign citizens, industries or governments from obtaining information that is contrary to the national security interest of the United States. Export Controls regulate the shipment or transfer, by whatever means, of controlled items, software, technology, or services out of the U.S. If the sabbatical requires international travel or shipment of items to other countries, a license may be required. Contact ORCI for additional information:  [email protected]. 

A conflict of interest occurs when an individual’s outside activity or financial interest could potentially interfere with or bias their judgment.  If the applicant has a real or perceived financial conflict of interest with the research, a mitigation plan may be required.  If a conflict of interest arises during the conduct of the sabbatical, this must be reported within 30 days.

If the sabbatical proposal involves radiation, lasers, human or primate biological specimens, recombinant DNA, viral vectors, or work in laboratories, additional institutional approvals may be needed.