New Requirement: Annual Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Progress Updates
Details
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.
The annual HRPP Progress Update confirms the status of studies that studies that do not require continuing review. This is an administrative requirement to ensure that the University has up-to-date information about all active human subject research projects.
All active, open studies without an expiration date are required to submit an Annual HRPP Progress Update to remain open and active. Categories of studies without an expiration date include:
- Exempt
- Facilitated Review,
- most Minimal Risk studies that were reviewed via an Expedited Review process
Progress Updates are straightforward and require only basic project data:
- Study status,
- Enrollment,
- Any adverse events
- Confirmation of current research team members (note, team members must have current human subject research training and conflict of interest disclosures throughout the course of the study).
Note that Progress Updates are not an IRB review or a re-review of your project. Only an administrative review to confirm the information has been updated will be conducted. (See detailed information of what is required for Progress Updates here.)
Reporting Dates
The HRPP Progress Update submission is due annually on the anniversary date of the study’s initial approval or exemption determination from the IRBOnline system. An HRPP Progress Update submission is required annually for as long as the study is open.
The PI and Research Team Contacts will receive reminders 60 days and 30 days before the Progress Update is due.
For currently active, open studies with an anniversary date between November 1 and December 31, your first HRPP Progress Update will be due in 2025 on your anniversary date. You will then have a submission due every year thereafter on that day.
For currently active, open studies with an anniversary date between January 1 and October 31, your first HRPP Progress Update will be due in 2026 on your anniversary date. You will then have a submission due every year thereafter on that day.
You can submit the Annual HRPP Progress Update up to 60 days in advance of the anniversary date. This will not change your anniversary date for the next year.
What if I miss the deadline
If the Principal Investigator does not submit the HRPP Progress Update by the annual anniversary date of the study’s initial approval/exemption, the study will be administratively closed. Researchers will be given a 10-day grace period after the due date before the automatic closure begins.
Full information and FAQs are available: Annual HRPP Progress Updates
Additional Details and FAQ’s
Introduction to the HRPP – 7-minute video
- How do I submit a Progress Update?
- When is my first Progress Update due?
- When is the HRPP Progress Update due?
- What is the purpose of the Annual HRPP Progress Update submission?
- What happens if I do not submit the HRPP Progress Update by the due date each year?
- What information is required in the HRPP Progress Update?
- Why doesn't my study have an expiration date?