OPRS News and Announcements

Cheri Pettey Named New Director of OPRS

Cheri Pettey has been named Director of the Office for the Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS). She begins March 23, 2026.

Full announcement: https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/46/689853346.html 

Conflict of Interest (COI) Requirement Goes 100% Live on March 23rd

The Office for the Protection of Research Subjects (OPRS) reminds all investigators that the Conflict of Interest (COI) requirement, including disclosure of Significant Financial Interests (SFIs) and management of Financial Conflicts of Interest (FCOIs), will be fully enforced starting March 23rd

Important Notice: Submit Your Blanket Principal Investigator Statement of Assurance

Researchers can submit their one-time blanket assurance to onboard to the Carle + Illinois streamlined IRB process at any time. This is a brief acknowledgment of your responsibilities as PI, ensuring compliance with Illinois policies, ethical standards, and Carle IRB protocols.

New! Streamlined IRB Process for Illinois–Carle Health Research (Effective January 2026)

One form, one process:  Starting in January 2026, most joint Illinois–Carle human subjects research (exempt and non-exempt) will follow a single, simplified pathway.

OPRS update for 10/16/25

A message from Patty Jones, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation – Compliance:

Dear Human Subjects Research Community,

New Requirement: Annual Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Progress Updates

Effective November 1, 2025, Illinois investigators must annually submit a HRPP progress update in the IRBOnline system. This new requirement applies to all currently active, open studies, as well as new studies approved/exempted after September 1, 2025.

New Requirement: Financial Disclosures required for ALL research team members

Previously, conflicts of interest of research team members were required to be reported to OPRS/IRB by the PI as part of the IRB application.

New Features in IRBOnline - 4/3/2025

We are pleased to announce several new features have been introduced in the IRBOnline system effective immediately. 

Updated Guidance for completing a New Study Application

An updated guidance document has been provided providing comments and suggestions for completing the full New Study Application in IRBOnline. 

Avoid Common Revisions When Transitioning Protocols to IRBOnline

Avoid revisions by following instructions below:

Provide information on the CURRENT status of the project.

Urgent Reminder: IRBOnline Transition Deadline Approaching

The following announcement was sent via the OPRS/IRB Listserv on July 30, 2024.  If you would like to be added to the listserv, please email irb@illinois.edu. 

OPRS Newsletter 5/16/2024

Topics Included

Website Updates 02/05/2024

The following updates have been made recently to the OPRS website: 

Research Topics

Transition Existing Projects to IRBOnline

(Notice sent via OPRS/Human Subject Research Listserv on 11/13/2023)

Dear Colleagues:

Prepare for IRBOnline: CITI Training

One benefit of IRBOnline is the integration with the CITI training program.  Specifically, research team members’ CITI Training records will be automatically associated with their profile in IRBOnline.  PIs and te

IRBOnline to launch 9/18/2023

OPRS is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of IRBOnline, an electronic IRB submission system.  IRBOnline will be available for new study submissions on Monday, September 18, 2023.  To prepare for the transition, OPRS will be pausing acceptance of n

Website Updates 8/20/2023

The IRB Committee rosters have been updated effective 8/15/2023.

IRB Panels and Meetings

Weekly Updates 4/24/2023

As we continue to update the OPRS website with new information, guidance, and resources, we will provide weekly updates of any additions to the website.  

In the past week, the following additions have been made: 

Updated OPRS Website

I am pleased to announce that the OPRS website has been updated and is now available for use. This represents the next step in the OPRS project to modernize the university's IRB oversight and submission processes, in preparation for the implementation of an electronic IRB system in late 2023.

Upcoming OPRS Website Updates

Later this month, OPRS will launch a newly revised website.  We are currently targeting the week of April 17 for site launch.