About the Committe on Human Studies (CHS) The Committee on Human Studies is the unit designated to function as the federally mandated Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the University of Hawaii (UH) system. This responsibility extends to all research involving human subjects by professors, researchers, students, and others affiliated with the University of Hawaii or using UH personnel, staff, or students. This applies to all research involving human subjects whether funded or not. Committee Overviews CHS has three separate IRB Committees. One designated to review all bio-medicine and related protocols, a second focusing on social sciences and behavioral research projects. The third is a multi-institutional cooperative Committee. These Committees each meet approximately once a month (see meeting schedule and submission deadlines). Note: Both the Biomedical Committee and the Social Science / Behaivioral Sciences Committee use the same application forms while the Multi Institutional Cooperative Committee uses forms which are available by request from Bill Dendle (Executive Secretary / Compliance Officer 808.539.3945). Biomedical Committee For projects that involve direct medical intervention or interaction, clinical trials for new drugs/devices (FDA regulated activities), invasive or non-invasive procedures for research purposes and other activities or the collection or use of private health information for research purposes in the biomedical arena. Social Science / Behaivioral Sciences Committee For projects that involve intervention or interaction with participants that does not include medical procedures, treatment, physical sensors, exercise activities or the collection of medical specimens. Multi Institutional Cooperative Committee For only federally funded, multicenter and multisite projects affiliated with the University of Hawaii, UH, The Queen's Medical Center, the facilities under Hawaii Pacific Health, and St. Francis Medical Center have agreed to cooperate on IRB review under one Committee based at UH. Only projects that meet the eligibility definition may be reviewed at this Committee. This does not include any pharma-industry sponsored research or federally funded projects where all research activities are done in Hawaii. About Cooperative Agreements The UH CHS has made arrangements with other institutions in Hawaii to cooperate on the oversight of human subject research protocols. Among the other institutions currently operating under a cooperative agreement with the UH CHS are Hawaii Pacific Health, OB/Peds, The Hawaii State Department of Health, North Hawaii Community Hospital, Wahiawa General Hospital, and Labman, Hawaii. If your research project will involve one or more of these organizations, you may qualify for single IRB review under a cooperative agreement. Please check with the UH CHS or the specific IRB to determine if you qualify. Do not assume; all institutions and organizations have the right to review any and all protocols involving their organization, regardless of any standing agreements. The IRB makes that choice, not the applicant.