Protection of Human Subjects and Lab Animals
Research conducted by SJSU faculty, staff, or students that involves the use of human subjects or laboratory animals requires additional review and approvals by specialized review boards established by the university president.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) reviews research proposals that are submitted by SJSU faculty, staff, and students that involve the use of human subjects and oversees human research activities. This committee ensures that the proposed research is in compliance with university and federal policies and regulations regarding the safety of human participants in research and the ethical and responsible conduct of investigators.
Research that includes the involvement of human participants either through direct interaction (interviews, surveys, experimental interventions, etc.) or through the use of private records about individuals require IRB approval. The protocol must be approved by the IRB before the research begins. For IRB procedures, forms, and other detailed information about requirements for research involving the participation of human subjects, please visit the Research and Innovation Human Subjects Institutional Review Board web page.
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
The university complies with federal, state, university, and other regulatory requirements related to the acquisition, care, use, and treatment of animals in the performance of instruction and research. Established by the SJSU president, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), is responsible for the oversight and review of all issues related to animal care, facilities, and procedures.
The IACUC is charged with:
- reviewing and approving animal care and use protocols;
- monitoring all approved animal activities and facilities;
- ensuring human and animal welfare associated with approved activities;
- making recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding any aspect of animal care and use standards, facilities and personnel training; and
- investigating reported concerns of animal care and use at SJSU.
For standard protocol, training, forms, and other detailed information about research involving the use of laboratory animals, visit the Research and Innovation Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee web page.
Related Resources
Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)
F17-1, University Policy, Protection of Human Research Subjects [pdf]
