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West Virginia University Office of Human Research Protections
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Approval in Principle

Approval in Principle

As per federal regulations, (45 CFR 46.118), there are two circumstances in which the IRB may grant approval required by a sponsoring agency without having reviewed all of the study procedures and consent documents. One is if study procedures are to be developed during the course of the research, but human subjects approval is required by the sponsoring agency. The other is if the involvement of human subjects depends on the outcomes of work with animal subjects.  The IRB may then grant approval without having reviewed the as yet undeveloped recruitment, consent, and intervention materials. However, if the proposal is funded, the Principal Investigator must submit such materials for approval at least 60 days before recruiting human subjects into the study, or into any pilot studies or pre- tests.  Approval in principle is granted to satisfy sponsoring agency requirements or to allow investigators to have access to funding to begin aspects of the project that do not involve human subjects. 


Draft Approval In Principle Determination Letter


For a complete/signed Approval in Principle Determination Letter, please contact irb@mail.wvu.edu and provide our office with pertinent information about your award and/or project.