What Researchers Can Expect

Beginning January 2026, the Brown HRPP will transition to a single, cohesive framework with standardized processes, forms, training, and points of contact for a simpler, more consistent experience. Stay tuned for more information on a central HRPP booking calendar and support services page. 

 The Brown HRPP Toolkit will launch in January, with a transition period through March to support a smooth adjustment. Active projects will be minimally impacted by this change. These studies will remain in IRBNet and will not be migrated until later in 2026. While the Brown HRPP Toolkit will launch in January, active projects will not need to modify existing materials to match the toolkit. Submission forms will be updated to align with the new framework, but all prior IRB determinations will remain valid. New projects created on or after Jan. 1, 2026 will be expected to use the toolkit documents, with full compliance by March 2026.

All existing IRB members will be organized within a Consolidated IRB consisting of four central panels that meet during the first four weeks of each month to increase review frequency and consistency. The first panel will work out of Huron and the other three panels will remain in IRBNet. 

What You Need to Do

• Visit this webpage often for detailed information, updates, and to share feedback.
• Continue submitting through your current system (Huron or IRBNet); non-committee reviews will proceed as usual.
• Stay aware of meeting dates. One panel will meet in Huron and three in IRBNet—HRPP will triage submissions as needed.
• Access training materials for the Brown HRPP Toolkit and upcoming Huron system rollout.
• Register for a December Town Hall to hear live updates and ask questions.
• Review the 2026 meeting dates and Town Hall schedule posted below, including a link to register for the session that works best for you.

Benefits of an Aligned HRPP

• IRB Administration Consolidation: All IRB operations will now be managed centrally by the Brown’s Human Research Protection Program (HRPP).
• Single Submission process in a unified electronic submission system, Huron IRB, for Brown University, Brown University Health and Care New England
• Unified HRPP Policies: Both health systems will now follow the Brown’s Human Research Protection Program policies and procedures, which are based on the Brown HRPP Toolkit. This comprehensive and standardized framework will ensure consistent, compliant, and efficient research oversight across all partner institutions.
• Master Reliance Agreement between Brown University, Brown University Health, Care New England replaces the need for one-time IRB Authorization Agreements (IAAs), streamlining the reliance process for collaborative research with a single application.
• Expanded IRB Expertise. Consolidated IRB membership now includes representatives from Brown University, Brown University Health, and Care New England—broadening the diversity of expertise on each board.
• Consolidated IRB Meeting Schedule: A centralized IRB meeting schedule now supports weekly meetings, resulting in four IRB meetings each month to improve review efficiency.
• Centralized Support Services: Bringing the HRPP together also unifies essential resources for researchers, including a centralized Post Approval Monitoring Program and Regulatory Advising at Brown.

HRPP Town Halls

The Brown HRPP will host a series of virtual Town Halls in December, offering two sessions for each organization: Brown University, Brown University Health (BUH), and Care New England (CNE). These sessions are open to all and will provide updates on the status of ongoing projects, an overview of the planned HRPP alignment in January 2026, and guidance on how researchers can prepare for the upcoming changes. Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and engage directly with Brown HRPP leadership. Meeting dates and registration links are provided below.

Register for town halls

What’s Changing?

• HRPP/IRB contact: All operations will be moving to Brown University, but all HRPP staff from the three institutions will stay with the program. Contact info will eventually switch over to Brown University and will be forwarded accordingly.
• Platform Migration: IRBNet for IRB submissions will be phased out at Brown University Health and Care New England. All active IRB projects will be moved to Huron IRB. (Note, access to IRBNet will not be terminated at this time)
• One System, Single Application: For multi-site research involving Brown, Brown University Health, and Care New England, a single application will now be submitted through Huron.
• IRB Meeting schedule: The IRB meeting schedule will switch to the new format starting in 2026. Meetings scheduled for the rest of 2025 will mostly stay the same.
• IRB Membership: The Brown University IRB will act as the IRB of record for Brown University, Brown University Health, and Care New England, featuring members from all three institutions.
• Data Migration: Existing studies will be migrated from IRBNet to Huron IRB as project shells. Research teams will be responsible for reviewing and populating these shells with current documentation.

Transition Timeline

• HRPP and IRB alignment: January 2026
• Full Operations in Huron IRB: Expected to begin early 2026.
• Transition Date to Huron IRB: One week before go-live.
• Freeze on New Projects: Three weeks before go-live - no New Project submissions will be accepted in IRBNet.
• Freeze on all submissions: Two weeks before go-live - IRBNet will no longer accept any submissions. 

Data Migration Details

• Only active projects will be migrated to Huron IRB. "Active" refers to studies that have received a final review outcome of Approved (or Site Activation for single IRB studies). Any research that hasn’t reached this status by the time data is pulled from IRBNet will need to be manually entered into Huron IRB.
• Project Shells: Studies from IRBNet will be imported into Huron IRB as basic shells containing limited data fields (e.g., study title, PI, protocol number).
• Research Team Action Required: Teams will need to upload full study documentation and confirm data accuracy in the Huron IRB system post-migration.
• Only Principal Investigators (PIs) or designated PI proxies are authorized to submit in Huron. PIs will be uploaded into the system along with their project details, and PI proxies will also be added to help complete the initial project setup.

Further instructions and checklists will be provided in training sessions.

Submission Freeze Period

To ensure a successful and accurate data migration:

• No new IRB submissions will be accepted in IRBNet starting three weeks prior to the transition date.
• In-progress submissions must be finalized by the health system IRB Administration/HRPP by one week before go-live, or they will need to be re-entered in Huron IRB after go-live.

Brown Winter Break

Winter Break is provided to staff to afford employees additional time off. While the office will be closed Dec. 23 - Jan. 5, HRPP Leadership will remain “on-call” for urgent needs. Both Huron and IRBNet will remain operational; however, non-urgent submissions will be reviewed once the office reopens on January 5.  A clear pathway will be available to alert the HRPP if something requires immediate attention.

Training Plan

A customized training and support plan has been created to ensure a smooth transition to the new Huron IRB system. The training is institution-specific and designed to prepare all users and stakeholders for the upcoming changes.

Access training materials

A single, flexible IRB roster will support four dedicated panels. These panels will meet once per month, on the first, second, third, and fourth weeks.  All meetings are set for Wednesdays or Thursdays between 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM.

The panels will feature a generalist composition, ensuring the combined roster reflects the full range of research in our current portfolio.

Specifically, each panel will include the necessary mix of scientists and non-scientists, affiliated and unaffiliated members as mandated by federal regulations. To maximize review capability, panels will also combine diverse experience, including:

• Biomedical and social-behavioral expertise
• Reviewers experienced in pediatric and pregnancy research
• Experience in oncology and other specialties
• A variety of academic degrees (MD, PhD, Pharm D, BS, BA, etc.)
• Mixed representation from all institutions affiliated with this project.

This comprehensive approach guarantees that any new research can be competently reviewed by any of the four panels, creating the most flexible and optimal model for our organizations.

Each panel will be led by a Chair and Vice Chair, consistent with common practice. Additionally, an Executive Chair will focus on administrative oversight, process coordination, and strategic planning across all panels.

These nine individuals will form the leadership team, working collaboratively as equal members fully engaged in policy discussions, planning, and decision-making.

2026 Meeting Schedule

Throughout this process, the Brown HRPP is committed to providing comprehensive support:

• Dedicated Transition Help Desk
• Live Chat and Email Support
• 1-on-1 Assistance by Appointment

Links to support resources will be published as soon as they are available. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the HRPP with any questions or concerns at irb@brown.edu.

Introducing CREW: Collaborative Research Engagement Workgroup

The Collaborative Research Engagement Workgroup (CREW) is a monthly virtual meeting hosted by the HRPP to foster engagement and collaboration with the research community. CREW provides a forum for researchers, staff, and stakeholders to share updates, discuss best practices, and address questions or challenges related to human research protections. These sessions are open to all members of the research community and are designed to encourage dialogue, provide timely updates, and strengthen connections across institutions.

CREW meets monthly on the second Thursday of the month from either 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Register to receive calendar invites

Stay Informed

The Brown HRPP will continue to share updates via email, this webpage, the HRPP Insider newsletter, and through department administrators. Please check back regularly for new information, FAQs, and additional resources.

Thank you for your cooperation and engagement during this transition. This move will enhance our ability to support ethical, efficient, and collaborative research across all institutions.