The HRPP Insider
Updates from the Human Research Protection Program serving Brown University, Brown University Health, and Care New England.
April 16, 2026
As we move through the next phases of the HRPP Alignment, several key milestones are underway to support a unified Human Research Protection Program across Brown University, Brown University Health, and Care New England.
Introducing SHIP: HRPP Support Hub for Information and Planning
The HRPP Support Hub for Information and Planning (SHIP) is now live, providing a centralized resource for IRB guidance, consultation, and Huron IRB support during the transition.
How to Use SHIP
Submit a Ticket (general support)
For quick help with IRB submissions, Huron system issues, templates, continuing review, amendments, or initial application questions.
Request a Consultation (1:1 advising)
For more in-depth support, including new protocol planning, exemption or determination questions, IRB feedback responses, or complex consent issues.
Reminder: Huron IRB Registration
All study personnel who require access to Huron IRB must have a registered Huron account.
Key reminders:
- IRBNet study personnel are being preloaded into Huron
- Users may still need to activate their account through registration
- Only individuals requiring system access should register
- Brown + health system users may link credentials for single sign-on access
Early registration helps ensure uninterrupted access as migration approaches.
Action Item: PI Proxies & Continuing Review Submissions
As part of the transition to Huron IRB:
Principal Investigators should designate PI Proxies to submit on their behalf. In Huron IRB, only PIs and proxies can submit, unlike IRBNet.
Project access in Huron is also more limited—users must be listed as study personnel to view or work on a project, and proxies must be active personnel. A single “Primary Contact” may also create submissions, but only one can be assigned per study.
- Continuing review submissions for studies approaching expiration on or before July 31 should be submitted in IRBNet as soon as possible, particularly for studies expected to require Full Committee review, to ensure review prior to migration.
Complete the Huron IRB: PI Proxy Designation Form (Qualtrics Form) or for multiple projects, send a spreadsheet to IRB@brown.edu with PI Name, Project Title and list of proxies. These steps will help prevent delays during the transition and support uninterrupted study management in Huron IRB.
CNE Toolkit Transition: In Progress
The Care New England research community is transitioning to the Brown HRPP Toolkit, aligning IRB materials across institutions.
Key points:
- Toolkit forms are required for new submissions
- Legacy CNE forms are being phased out
- Training, crosswalks, and FAQs are available in the Education Center
- The Toolkit standardizes submission materials across the HRPP
New Projects Now Accepted in Huron IRB
New studies are now being accepted in Huron IRB to support transition readiness.
Priority is given to:
- Full Committee review studies
- Single IRB (sIRB) studies
- IRBNet will close to new project submissions on April 20, 2026.
Final Data Migration Timeline (IRBNet → Huron)
We are approaching the final phase of system migration:
- April 20, 2026: Last day for New Project IRBNet submissions
- May 4, 2026: IRBNet all-submission blackout period begins
- May 13, 2026: Final IRBNet data extraction
- May 21, 2026: Huron IRB go-live
After migration, all active studies will be managed in Huron IRB, establishing a single system for IRB submissions, review, and study management.
Stay Connected
Researchers are encouraged to stay informed through:
- HRPP Insider updates
- HRPP website
- Training sessions and office hours
- EW monthly meetings
As always, thank you for your continued partnership as we move through this transition. We encourage you to stay engaged, share feedback, and reach out with any questions. More detailed information and ongoing updates can always be found on the HRPP Alignment webpage. Questions or support needs may be directed to SHIP: HRPP Support Hub for Information and Planning.
Through the BIRCH initiative, the Brown HRPP will provide unified oversight for human subjects research across Brown University, Care New England, and Brown University Health, with Brown University serving as the IRB of record for all three institutions.
