SHIP is the HRPP’s Support Hub for Information and Planning. It is a virtual portal to request assistance (help ticket) or request a consultation via our online booking calendar. 

1. Submit a Help Ticket

Need technical or general support with:

• IRB submissions or eIRB issues
• Consent documents and templates
• Protocol amendments or continuing review
• Initial application guidance

Submit a help ticket to reach the HRPP team. We aim to respond within 2 business days.

2. Book a One-on-One Consultation

Schedule a 30-minute meeting with an IRB or HRPP staff member for personalized support, including:

• New protocol planning
• IRB exemptions or determinations
• Revisions or responses to IRB comments
• Consent language concerns

Book a 1:1 consultation with the HRPP team. Choose a time that works for you using our scheduling calendar.

3. Subscribe to the Researcher Channel

The Researcher Channel is a collaborative discussion forum (Google Group) for the supported research community, designed to support open communication and shared learning around Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) processes, IRB submissions, and the Huron IRB system.

Researchers and study teams can post questions, respond to others, and learn from past discussions. Conversations are community-driven, with HRPP monitoring the group and providing clarification or official guidance when needed.

Guidelines

• Do not include participant identifiable information or PHI
• Keep discussions respectful and constructive
• Search previous posts before submitting a question
• Peer responses reflect individual experience and may not represent official HRPP policy

This channel serves as a practical, shared resource to support efficient, compliant research across the Brown community.

Learn how to join the channel and manage your subscription.

4. Join CREW: Monthly Engagement Workshop (Virtual)

HRPP hosts a monthly virtual engagement workshop via Zoom designed to support researchers through open discussion, brief topical presentations, and live Q&A.

These sessions are ideal for:

• Staying informed on evolving IRB processes
• Asking general questions in a group format
• Learning tips and best practices for submissions

CREW meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month from 2-3 p.m. Register via Zoom meeting link.

5. Email Us Directly

For general questions, document requests, or follow-up:

Email the HRPP Office: irb@brown.edu
Typical response time: 1–2 business days

Regulatory Advisors — Building Your Ship

Your strategic partners in study design and regulatory planning.

Areas of support:

• Aligning study design with research objectives
• Protocol and consent development
• Risk minimization strategies
• Determining whether IRB review is required / whether work is human subjects research
• Regulatory requirements and compliance guidance
• Preparing new IRB submissions (forms and requirements)
• Advanced consultation for complex issues (e.g., deferrals, regulatory strategy)

You can contact the HRPP team through the SHIP portal or by email at: regulatoryadvising@brown.edu 

Navigators — Smooth Sailing During IRB Review

Hands-on support during submission, review, and study maintenance.

Areas of support:

• IRB submission preparation and form completion
• Huron / IRB system technical troubleshooting
• Responding to IRB comments and required modifications
• Questions on active studies (continuing review, modifications, RNI)
• Complex submission or review issue resolution

Multi-Site & Collaborative Research

“Balancing order, movement, and nuance”

Areas of support:

• Guidance for multisite studies reviewed by Brown IRB
• Guidance for studies relying on external IRBs
• Determining IRB review and reliance pathways
• Execution and management of reliance agreements

You can contact the HRPP team through the SHIP portal or by email at reliance@brown.edu. 

Post-Approval Monitoring (PAM)

“Being a Guiding Light”

The PAM program supports responsible, high-quality research through:

Protecting participants

• Ensuring studies are conducted as approved
• Maintaining compliance with federal regulations (45 CFR 46) and institutional policies
• Reducing risk to research participants

Supporting researchers

• Providing education and compliance guidance
• Identifying potential issues early
• Assisting teams in correcting and strengthening processes

Improving research quality

• Promoting best practices across studies
• Supporting consistent, high-quality research operations

You can contact the HRPP team through the SHIP portal or by email at: IRB_PAM@brown.edu 

Stay on Course with HRPP Compass

HRPP Compass enables timely, clear, and effective collaboration between researchers and the HRPP—supporting safe, compliant, and high-quality research across the Ocean State and beyond.

• Review the IRB FAQs and HRPP Knowledge Base
• Include your protocol number if referencing a specific study
• Attach relevant documents or screenshots when submitting a ticket or emailing

Phone: Please Note: While the HRPP maintains a phone line, our team works in a hybrid environment and staff may not always be immediately available to answer calls. Email is the most reliable and preferred way to reach us, ensuring your inquiry is directed to the appropriate team member as quickly as possible.