Can I still submit a FLEX protocol?
No. The FLEX protocol type was discontinued on November 9, 2025.
Do I need to resubmit my approved FLEX protocol as exempt or expedited?
FLEX protocols do not need to be resubmitted as exempt or expedited at this time so long as there is not a significant change in the protocol. If a protocol originally approved as Flex receives federal funding, incurs a change in risk, changes the scope of project (i.e., new or changed goals/hypothesis) or alters research procedures significantly change (e.g., a retrospective review adding a prospective component, adding a vulnerable population, etc.), it is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator (PI) to notify WVU OHRP by creating a new exempt or expedited protocol submission.
I submitted or started a FLEX submission before November 9th but it was not approved. What do I do now?
If you have an in-progress FLEX submission, you will need to change the protocol type in WVU+kc by opening the draft submission in edit mode (click edit or the pencil icon) and select the appropriate protocol type on the Protocol Type dropdown. This will update the questionnaire but keep any attachments in Notes and Attachments.
This applies to protocols in the pending or specific minor revisions status. If the protocol has been routed to the PI, it must be recalled before the protocol type change can be made.
Will my FLEX protocol transition to WRAP?
Yes, active studies in WVU+kc will be transitioned when the IRB module transitions to WRAP in quarter 1 of 2026.
New questions will be added regularly. Email irb@mail.wvu.edu with any new questions or concerns.