The Human Research Protection Program serving Brown University, Brown University Health, and Care New England.
January 21, 2026
Welcome to the first HRPP Insider of 2026. This year marks an important phase in HRPP alignment, with continued progress toward more consistent systems, processes, and support for human subjects research across Brown University, Brown University Health, and Care New England.
HRPP Alignment Update
As of January 2026, HRPP operations are aligned under Brown University, supporting a more unified framework for human subjects research. Key highlights include:
Centralized HRPP framework with shared policies and resources
Four IRB panels meeting weekly to support timely and consistent review
Standardized processes to streamline submissions and reviews
Researchers should continue submitting through their current systems (IRBNet or Huron) while preparations for a future system migration continue. (See single IRB section below for exceptions).
Important Note: While HRPP operations are aligning, data transfer agreements (DTAs) and related policies remain institution-specific and unchanged. Aligning these processes is part of the longer-term goal to streamline research collaboration across all partner institutions. For more information, see the HRPP alignment page.
Single IRB (sIRB) Updates
For new studies involving reliance between Brown University, Brown University Health, and/or Care New England, researchers will submit to a single site for approval of protocols and reliance determinations. The execution of the reliance agreement will be done administratively through HRPP without the need for a secondary submission to the relying site(s). This streamlined process reduces duplication and supports efficient study start-up.
Studies with Brown credentialed access for Investigators and system-based research staff have the option of submitting for review in the Huron system. All others should continue to submit in IRBNet. Existing studies and reliance arrangements remain unchanged.
For more information, see the HRPP alignment page. Questions about sIRB review may be directed to reliance@brown.edu.
Standardized IRB Materials & HRPP Toolkit V5.3
We continue to move toward a standardized set of IRB forms, templates, policies, and procedures across all three institutions. These materials are available in the Brown HRPP Toolkit Library. Researchers are encouraged to complete HRPP orientation training and begin familiarizing themselves with the Toolkit materials (forms, templates, policies etc). New training specific to transitioning to the HRPP Toolkit is now available through the HRPP Alignment Education Center.
Care New England will also transition to the HRPP Toolkit. Until then, CNE investigators may continue to use the documents in their IRBNet libraries for their submission.
A new version of the Toolkit, 5.3, is now live. As a note, Huron routinely evaluates and updates Toolkit materials based on communications with regulatory agencies, as well as feedback from HRPP Toolkit clients and the broader research community. A summary of changes is available in the Brown HRPP Library Change Log for review.
Huron IRB Migration
In late Spring 2026, active studies will transition to the Huron IRB system as part of a move to a single electronic submission platform. Training and guidance is now available, while timelines will be shared well in advance. Researchers are encouraged to begin familiarizing themselves with Huron and available HRPP Toolkit training materials. For more information, see the HRPP alignment page.
Save the Date: CREW Monthly Forum
The Collaborative Research Engagement Workgroup (CREW) launches in 2026 as a monthly virtual forum for researchers and HRPP staff to share updates, ask questions, and exchange feedback.
Second Thursday of each month | 2–3 p.m. (new time)
Registration details are available on the HRPP alignment page.
Thank you for your continued engagement as we strengthen and align human research protections across our institutions.
Here’s to a productive and aligned 2026!
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.
