An institutional review board (IRB) is subject to international, national, state, and institutional policies. Because the University of Richmond receives grants from the federal government, research funded by federal grant dollars must conform to federal regulations and policies. The University of Richmond has also opted (in its Federalwide Assurance Agreement or FWA) to apply the federal “common rule” to all human subjects research at the University.
The University of Richmond IRB Policy Guide both adheres to federal requirements and states Richmond-specific policies, such as allowing students to be the principal investigator of minimal risk studies.