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The IRB meets monthly to review proposals received during the previous month and expect around 4 weeks for approval. Example: Any proposals submitted in October will be reviewed at the November meeting.

Research conducted by Bellevue College affiliates using human participants is overseen by Bellevue College’s IRB. The following pages and links detail the Institutional Review Board for Protection of Human Subjects in Research (IRB). The guidance within applies only to students, faculty, and staff of Bellevue College, Bellevue, WA as researchers or research subjects. The Bellevue College IRB does not review studies that do not involve Bellevue College students, faculty, or staff as either investigators or participants. Additionally, interactions with human participants in instructional activities not for the purposes of human subjects research are excluded from IRB review, per Policy 3650 and Procedures 3650P.

The purpose of the Bellevue College IRB is to facilitate human subjects research and to ensure the rights and welfare of human subjects are protected during their participation. To accomplish this purpose, the IRB reviews research protocols and related materials to ensure the rights and welfare of human subjects are protected.

The IRB reviews and approves all behavioral research activities involving human subjects at Bellevue College through guidelines established for the Code of Federal Regulations established by the Office of Health and Human Services. If you are conducting human subjects research, you may not solicit subject participation or begin data collection until your research has received written approval from the IRB.

The IRB is composed of faculty members, administrators and a member from the community. The human subjects review process is administered through the Office of Effectiveness, Research & Analytics.

Related College Policies and Procedures

3655 – Use of Human Participants in Research Activities

3655P – Use of Human Participants in Research Activities (Procedures)

Related Websites (See Training for additional resources)

Office for Human Research Protections

The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) provides leadership in the protection of the rights, welfare, and wellbeing of subjects involved in research conducted or supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). OHRP helps ensure this by providing clarification and guidance, developing educational programs and materials, maintaining regulatory oversight, and providing advice on ethical and regulatory issues in biomedical and social-behavioral research.

The Belmont Report

The Belmont report attempts to summarize the basic ethical principles identified by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research.

Code of Federal Regulations

Title 45 Public Welfare, Part 46 Protection of Human Subjects


See the section on “Steps to IRB Review” to get started with the application process. This includes determining whether your proposed work requires IRB review and approval.

Questions? Contact: The IRB Chair.