Lurie Children’s and Northwestern Reliance Agreement

When investigators/study staff at both Lurie Children’s and Northwestern University are engaged in research, IRB approval is required at both institutions.  As above, investigators may request that Northwestern University rely on the review of the Lurie Children’s IRB via Cayuse IRB and then submit an abbreviated application and approval documents submitted to Northwestern University via eIRB+. 

Examples of study activity at Northwestern University or its affiliates when this would be applicable include:

• Participants will have study visits/activity at a Northwestern University site
• Identified data and/or samples will be sent to investigators at a Northwestern University site
• Northwestern University faculty or staff (without a Lurie Children’s appointment) will be engaged in the research conducting study procedures or interacting with participants at Lurie Children’s
• Northwestern University faculty or staff (without a Lurie Children’s appointment) will be engaged in the research conducting study procedures or interacting with participants at Northwestern University and/or its Affiliates (Ensure that these individuals are included on the abbreviated submission to Northwestern IRB)
• Some or all of the funding will be coming through the Northwestern University Office of Sponsored Research

Examples of activity at Northwestern University or its affiliates that will not require study submission to both IRBs:

• Data will be collected or stored using REDCap
• Sharing de-identified data/specimens
• Providing standard of care services (e.g. radiation therapy that is being done for standard of care)
• Performing commercial service (e.g. statistical analysis, lab analysis, etc.)

BEFORE YOU START:

In order to submit a new study at each institution, investigators will need access to both electronic systems: 

• To obtain access to Cayuse IRB (at Lurie Children’s)
  • Send a completed Cayuse Access Form to irb@luriechildrens.org.
  • Please refer to the IRB Education page for instructions on Human Subject Research Protection and Good Clinical Practice education requirements. 
• To obtain access to eIRB+ (at Northwestern University)
  • Each user must obtain a NetID. Faculty are automatically assigned a NetID (this may be confirmed with department administrators or emailing fsmhelp@northwestern.edu). Staff may request a NetID by e-mailing Victoria Ramos (vramos@luriechildrens.org). Obtaining a NetID can take up to four days.
  • New users need to register in eIRB+. Follow instructions for registering in eIRB+ or contact eIRB+ Support.
  • Completed human subjects training should be emailed to irbtraining@northwestern.edu.

STEP ONE:

Submit the study to the Lurie Children’s IRB. [Download Cayuse Instructions]

• Log in to Cayuse IRB (Lurie Children’s) from any web browser.
• Create a new study (click on “+ New Study”).
• Create a new submission (click on “+ New Submission”, then click “Edit”).
• Complete the application and include the following regarding study activity at Lurie Children’s and Northwestern University:

Section 2: Study Settings

• Part A Multi-Institutional Research
  • A1: Select Northwestern University or a Northwestern University Affiliate Site and any other locations as applicable.
  • A2: Select the option “Yes, Lurie Children’s will serve as the IRB for another Site.” Then select “Northwestern University or affiliate site” in the Subcategory.
  • Supporting Documents: Unless consent is waived, attach the consent form which includes relevant Northwestern University language (see template).
• Once the study is reviewed and approved, approval documents will be available in the system.

STEP TWO:

Submit the study to the Northwestern University IRB. [Download eIRB+ Instructions]

• Once registered, log in to eIRB+ (Northwestern University)
• Create a new study. The title and short title, should start with (xIRB) before the actual name. (i.e. (xIRB) Drug 123 Study).
• To make this an abbreviated application, make sure to answer “yes” when asked if relying on an external IRB of record.
  • Question 6: Will an external IRB act as the IRB of record for the study? Select “YES”.
  • Upload the IRB Approval Letter from Lurie Children’s IRB, the protocol, and the stamped consents.
• Create a local site submission to submit the study to the IRB
• Once the study is reviewed, an acknowledgement letter will be available in the system.

STEP THREE:

The same process will apply to subsequent submissions (Modifications, Renewals, etc.). Remember, the PI and study team are responsible for following the respective institutional policies and timelines for reporting. Note: The study expiration date will be the same at both institutions.