About IRB Ready

IRB Ready exists to demystify the Institutional Review Board process for student researchers, faculty mentors, and community-based investigators. The IRB review is a universal milestone in human subjects research — and one of the most anxiety-inducing. Every institution has its own forms, language, and quirks, but the underlying principles are shared: respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.

This site translates dense institutional handbooks and federal regulations (45 CFR 46, the Common Rule) into practical walkthroughs. You will find plain-language explanations of exempt, expedited, and full-board review; annotated protocol and consent form templates; CITI training preparation notes; and checklists for amendments, continuing reviews, and study closure. Every piece of content is written to answer a specific question a real applicant has asked.

IRB Ready is part of the Subthesis research ecosystem — a set of free and practitioner-focused resources supporting the full research lifecycle, from design and statistics to practicum documentation, dissertation strategy, and grant writing. When a topic crosses into research design, statistics, or methodology, we link to the relevant Subthesis property rather than duplicate the material here.

The site is independent. It is not affiliated with the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), any university, any IRB, or any federal agency. Regulatory citations are educational, not legal advice. Always verify your institution's specific requirements with your local IRB office before submitting any application.

IRB Ready is maintained by Angel Reyes and the Subthesis team. If you find an error, have a question a future applicant would benefit from, or want to suggest a topic, reach out through the Subthesis site.