UT Austin Human Research Navigation Tool

Human subjects research may require institutional approvals beyond IRB review. This tool helps research teams identify institutional approvals or reviews that may be needed prior to starting a human research study at UT Austin. It is strongly recommended to use this tool before submitting to the IRB, as all applicable approvals must be in place before study initiation.

While optional, this tool is designed to support navigation of the UT Human Research Protection Program and related entities. For more information, see IRB-ML101-Guidance for Starting a Human Subjects Research Study at UT Austin.

How to Use This Tool

  1. Answer a Series of Yes/No Questions: Respond to questions with either "Yes" or "No" based on whether the procedure applies to your study.
  2. Review Your Results: After completing the questionnaire, the tool will generate a customized list of institutional entities that may require review or approval for your study.
  3. Understand the Output: For each entity identified, you will receive the following information:
    1. Who: The name of the institutional entity associated with the procedure(s) you indicated.
    2. What: A brief description of the entity's role, mission, and oversight responsibilities.
    3. How: Guidance on how to initiate the necessary reviews or approval processes, including relevant contact information and links to additional resources.

Questions

1. Does your research involve use of radioactive materials, X-rays, or magnetic fields (e.g., MRI)?

2. Does your research involve use of lasers or LEDs?

3. Does your research involve use of controlled substances?

4. Does your research involve use of the UT Biomedical Imaging Center’s (BIC) MRI, fMRI, PET/CT, and/or optical imaging systems?

5. Does your research involve use of recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules, and/or human or nonhuman primate body fluids, cells or tissue?

6. Is the Principal Investigator (PI) a Dell Medical School (DMS) faculty member?

7. Does your research take place at an Ascension facility or involve Ascension patient data?

8. Does your research take place at an external location (e.g., a k-12 school)

9. Do you plan to submit for or obtain external funding for your research study?

10. Does your research involve sharing data outside the institution or receiving data from outside the institution?

11. Does your research involve data storage using a platform or service not approved by UT ISO?

12. Does your research involve use of an AI tool?

13. Does your research examine the safety and/or efficacy of a device for human use or involve administration of a drug for research purposes?

14. Does your research involve a multi-site or collaborative study under a single IRB of record?

15. Does your research involve funding from federal agencies such as NIH, NSF, or USDA-NIFA, or include a formal Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training requirement in the grant or contract?