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Step 2: Before You Submit
Is it Human Subjects Research?
Before You Submit
How to Submit
After You Sumbit
After Approval
Required Training
- Penn State requires initial and continuing (every 3 years) education through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) in the protection of human research participants for individuals conducting or overseeing human subjects research. A Penn State access account is needed to access CITI trainings.
- All CITI training requirements for relevant study personnel must be complete before approval can be granted for any CATS IRB submission.
- In some instances, researchers may be required to complete additional CITI training (e.g., Good Clinical Practice (GCP). This decision-making tool helps researcher to identify the required training for various research roles and study types. Get more detailed information and instructions on CITI.
Centralized Application Tracking System (CATS) IRB
CATS IRB is the web-based application system that Penn State researchers use to complete submissions for the use of human participants in research. For those with a Penn State access account, completed CITI training automatically grants access CATS IRB within 1 to 2 business days. To access CATS IRB without CITI training, contact: irb-orp@psu.edu
Navigating CATS IRB
To login to CATS IRB go to irb.psu.edu. If you are new to Penn State, please note that you will not be able to access to CATS IRB until you have your Penn State access account. If you have a study that you are interested in transferring to Penn State, contact irb-orp@psu.edu.
Online and in-person training on human subjects research and the CATS IRB submission process is available. It is suggested that first-time users attend a training.
CATS IRB Library and Help Center
The CATS IRB Library is a series of documents investigators will need to use or reference to create materials for submission to the IRB. For links to training and guides, refer to the Help Center. Access the Library and Help Center from the Sidebar menu on the left side of the CATS IRB homepage, pictured below.
Before you begin your submission to the IRB, review the Investigator Manual, which outlines the responsibilities of investigators and includes important guidance on topics such as how to write a study protocol and document informed consent as well as crucial information regarding when IRB review and approval or determination is required and what information needs to be reported to the IRB post-approval. Additional guidelines from the IRB program and Penn State policies can be viewed on the Policies and Guidelines page.
Note for in-person research: Study teams are strongly encouraged to follow Best Practices for Conducting In-person Human Subjects Research.
Drafting Data Management Plans? Learn more.
Office for Research Protections
Address
110 Technology Center
200 Innovation Blvd.
University Park, PA 16803
The Office for Research Protections (ORP) ensures that research at the University is conducted in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and guidelines that protect human participants, animals, students, and personnel involved with research.