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July 2026
A revised consent form template is now required for all new submissions. Download from the Forms & Templates section on the IRB Platform, IRBNet.
July 2026
Effective immediately, all new, non-exempt, and non-ceded HSR studies must complete PRC review before moving forward to formal IRB submission.
Investigators should:
June 2026
The calendar of 2026 IRB meeting dates and submission deadlines is available for viewing. Please consult it when planning your project submissions.
June 2026
Effective immediately, all submission materials must be updated to adhere to the new naming convention requirements. Instructions available in the “How To Name Documents” PDF from the Forms & Templates section on IRBNet.
All research must have current RAF (Research Authorization Form) and IRB approval. Before submitting a new RAF to RAFsubmissions@sunyopt.edu, investigators must first ensure they have an up-to-date Conflict of Interest (COI) form on file in the PACS system and current CITI training. After receiving RAF approval, investigators may submit their research application materials for review using IRBNet. Non-exempt, non-ceded, new projects will first be reviewed by the College’s Pre-Review Committee (PRC) before being forwarded for IRB review and determination. All others will be sent straight to IRB review. After reviewing, the IRB will then issue a formal determination. Investigators are expected to respond promptly to all IRB requests.
All How-To’s, form templates, submission guides, tips, and more are available in the “Forms and Templates” section of IRBNet.
Update July 2026 – required for new submissions
For administrative approval from the Vice President of Research for new studies, major amendments and renewals.
For administrative approval from the Vice President of Research for study team staffing additions.
Human subjects research certification
SUNY Opt’s institutional document that outlines many of the rules, procedures, and ethical standards for conducting research involving human subjects.
| Meeting Date | Submission Deadline | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 8, 2026 | August 4, 2026 |  |
Regular bi-monthly convened meeting |
| November 10, 2026 | October 6, 2026 | |
Regular bi-monthly convened meeting |
| January 12, 2027 | December 8, 2026 | |
Regular bi-monthly convened meeting |
| None | Anytime (Rolling) |  |
Reviewed on a rolling basis |
| None | Anytime (Rolling) |  |
Reviewed on a rolling basis |
| None | Anytime (Rolling) |  |
Reviewed on a rolling basis |
Also known as Convened Board. Studies involving more than minimal risk, involving vulnerable populations (e.g., children, pregnant women, cognitively impaired individuals), and projects approaching their 5th Continuing Review. Reviewed at bi-monthly convened meetings. Submission deadline applies.
Research that falls within specific, federally defined minimal-risk categories but does not qualify for exempt status. Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Research that falls within specific, federally defined low-risk categories. Exempt status does not mean no IRB involvement: all studies believed to qualify as exempt must still be submitted to the SUNY Opt IRB for an official exemption determination. Submissions are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Research for which the SUNY Opt IRB formally agrees to cede oversight to an external IRB of record. Ceded status does not eliminate SUNY Opt IRB involvement: all materials submitted to and reviewed by the external IRB, along with any letters issued by the external IRB, must be submitted to the SUNY Opt IRB for formal acknowledgement. Submissions to the external IRB must comply with that IRB’s applicable submission deadlines; submissions to the SUNY Opt IRB are reviewed on a rolling basis.
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a committee that reviews and regulates research involving human participants. The IRB is responsible for protecting participants’ rights, privacy, and welfare, evaluating the research’s benefits versus risks, ensuring that informed consent is properly obtained, and confirming that studies comply with federal and state regulations, institutional policies, and commonly accepted ethical standards. The IRB evaluates project submissions and issues official determinations—e.g., approval, requiring modifications, disapproval, or deferral—based on how well these criteria are met. Reviews may be conducted as full-board, expedited, or exempt, depending on the type of project involved.
The SUNY College of Optometry (SUNY Opt) maintains a single IRB that oversees all Human Subjects Research (HSR). While approval of a project via the Research Authorization Form (RAF) process is first required in order to submit an IRB application, the SUNY Opt IRB is the sole entity with final authority to approve human research studies at the College. Only human research projects that have both RAF approval and IRB approval may be conducted at the College.
Researchers are responsible for the timely submission of study materials and updates to the IRB, and for adhering to its determinations throughout the research process. More information on IRB policies and processes as well as access to resources and the HSR email distribution list can be found by navigating to the IRB main page.
RAF approval is an administrative sign-off from the Vice President of Research confirming that the proposed research aligns with SUNY College of Optometry’s institutional resources and certain academic standards. It is an internal institutional review and does not evaluate the ethical acceptability of research involving human participants.
IRB approval, by contrast, is a regulatory and ethical determination confirming that the rights and welfare of human research participants are protected in accordance with applicable federal regulations, state laws, and institutional policies. It also confirms that required regulatory and administrative standards have been met. IRB approval is legally required before any research activities may begin.
RAF approval does not constitute, replace, or supersede IRB approval. The IRB has final authority over whether the research may begin or continue.
Keeping required training up-to-date is mandatory for all individuals working on active research projects (including Exempt studies). While the IRB will send out reminder emails as expiration dates approach, you are responsible for ensuring your training is current across all studies for which you are listed, whether as Principal Investigator or other study team member.
Expiration of these trainings while on an active project constitutes noncompliance and must be rectified immediately.To avoid administrative action, please renew your expired training without delay. When training is completed, please notify the PI immediately for all studies you are actively participating in.
If you serve as a PI, the updated training completion information must be submitted a Research Authorization Form Staffing Amendment (RAFSA) to RAFsubmissions@sunyopt.edu. Additionally, if the study is still active, an Amendment package needs to be submitted to IRBNet, including the RAFSA signed by the Vice President of Research. If the study is no longer active, a Closure package must be submitted instead. Please check the Forms and Template section of IRBNet for further instructions on submitting an Amendment or Closure package.
If your IRB approval lapses, all study activities—including data collection, analysis, and interactions with research participants—must stop. Failure to address the lapse promptly can result in IRB-initiated closure of the study and further administrative action. Your options as PI, depending on your intentions for the study, are as follows:
To create an IRBNet account, head to IRBNet at https://www.irbnet.org/. Use the “New User Registration” link next to the “Forgot Your Password?” on the top right of the Home Page. Fill out the online form and select “SUNY College of Optometry, New York, NY” as your research institution/organization.
irb@sunyopt.edu
General questions & submissions
33 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036
Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Include your IRB protocol number in the subject line when emailing about a specific submission.
Request to join the HSR list
Email us to be added.