COMMITTEES

The Research and Development Committee (RDC) is responsible for ensuring the effective operation of the research program and making appropriate recommendations to the Medical Center Director based on the Committee's oversight and evaluation of the research program. To the extent permitted by VHA Directive 1200.01 and local policy, decisions concerning research matters will be made by the R&D Committee. The Committee advises the Medical Center Director on professional and administrative aspects of the R&D program. All R&D activities within the hospital, whether funded or unfunded, are within its purview. Decisions on matters outside the committee's jurisdiction will be treated as recommendations to the Medical Center Director.

 

The Committee is responsible for maintaining high standards throughout the R&D Program. These standards include those assuring the scientific quality of the R&D projects, protection of human rights, laboratory safety, and welfare of animal subjects in R&D.

 

Specific responsibilities of the R&D Committee include:

1. Planning, developing, and assuming overall responsibility of all R&D activities.

2. Maintaining the execution of high quality of research by evaluating the quality, design desirability, propriety and administrative feasibility of all research proposals, applications for grants, gifts, and donations, and recommending changes to research proposals in order to enhance the accomplishment of desired goals.

3. Approving or disapproving the conduct of each research activity performed in the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System.

4. Approving distribution of research funds, space, personnel, equipment, supplies, and common-use facilities.

5. Making recommendations concerning the use of new investigational drugs and procedures for clinical research.

6. Determining the extent to which the objectives of the R&D programs are being attained and their impact on maintaining and improving VA-Medical School relations.

2023 Research and Development Committee Meeting Dates 

(PDF of schedule)

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• All meetings will be held virtually and begin at 9:30AM.

• New study submissions must have all required subcommittee approvals (IRB, IACUC, SRS) and PO/ISSO review  (as applicable) prior to R&D Committee approval.

• All VA grant submissions must be reviewed and approved by the Research & Development Committee. Contact Grants Coordinator Christine.Hendricks@va.gov for details and submission deadlines.

• *Date adjusted for holiday

 

Questions or for additional information, contact:

R&D Committee Administrator Christina Bennett*

The Human Studies Subcommittee / Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a component of the Research and Development (R&D) Committee. The R&D Committee and the IRB have been entrusted with the responsibility of insuring that research at the VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is conducted under the most rigorous ethical standards in order to assure the protection of the rights, welfare, and safety of the Veteran patients under our care. Approval of a project by the IRB indicates conformity with the Federal Guidelines for Studies Involving Human Subjects known as the "Common Rule." Copies of the VHA Directive 1200.05, Requirements for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research and the Federal Policy for Protection of Human Subjects; Notices and Rules, and local policies are available through the IRB.
 

2023 IRB Meeting Schedule

(PDF of schedule​)

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• IRB meets the second Thursday of each month from 12:00pm to 2:00pm

• ** Special Meeting Date **

• Submissions for review at a Board meeting must be submitted sixty (60) days prior to the meeting in which the action is to be reviewed. Please review the IRB Submission Due Dates guidance for detailed information on submission deadlines.

• IRB submissions MUST BE COMPLETE - including all appropriate signatures.

• All NEW studies must be submitted in VAIRRS/IRBNet and undergo an internal review process before being eligible for IRB review. The timeline for this process varies, so there is no set deadline for submitting new studies in order to get them reviewed or approved by a certain date. The Research Office recommends submitting studies as early as possible.

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Definition of Research

Human Subject Protection Education (CITI Training)

Federal Wide Assurance Number (FWA): 00004231
 

For assistance with Privacy and Confidentiality, contact:

Privacy Officers Joseph Picklo*

Confidentiality Information Systems Security Officer Robert Hall*

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For more information, contact:

IRB Administrator Joy Volpi