Systemwide review of revised UC policy on Protection of Human Subjects in Research

To: UC Santa Cruz Community

From: Scott Brandt, Vice Chancellor for Research

The University of California Office of the President invites comments on proposed revisions to Presidential Policy on Protection of Human Subjects in Research. 

The policy describes the responsibilities of the University, its campuses, and researchers, in protecting the rights and welfare of human subjects who participate in research at UC.

The policy includes the following key revisions:

  • An explanation of the ethical principles that the University follows for human subjects research.
  • A statement that the University’s commitment to human subjects applies to all human subjects research in which the University is engaged, regardless of funding source or the institution that provided the IRB review.
  • An explanation that campuses may replace specific Common Rule requirements with commensurate protections for human subjects when the University is engaged in research that is not subject to the Common Rule (e.g., research that is not federally-funded or otherwise subject to federal oversight).
  • A description of the responsibilities of the campuses, IRBs, other oversight offices and committees, and researchers for compliance with this policy.

The proposed policy is available online.

Please submit comments to the Policy Coordination Office at pco@ucsc.edu by close of business June 2, 2020.