Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Last Update on: 30 September 2025
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1. ABOUT IRB
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) at KFUPM is responsible for reviewing, approving, and monitoring research involving human participants. Its main role is to ensure that all research is conducted in accordance with the national committee of Bioethics (https://ncbe.kacst.gov.sa) guidelines and ethical standards, protecting the rights, safety, and well-being of participants while promoting responsible and high-quality research.
2. SCOPE OF REVIEW
The IRB reviews all research activities that involve human subjects. These can be surveys, interviews, experiments, observations, the use of personal or sensitive data, biomedical, behavioral, social science, and educational research. Considering the risk level on the participants, the application will be evaluated based on a full-board review, expedited review, or may be exempted.
Any faculty or researcher staff, or student conducting research involving human subjects must obtain IRB approval before starting the study. This includes funded and unfunded projects, theses, and collaborative studies.
3. APPLICATION PROCEDURE
You can apply to the IRB in two steps:
- Prepare the following documents:
- Research Application Form (funded or unfunded project)
- The NCBE certificate for the entire research team, it is an online certificate offered by the NCBE and can be obtained here: https://ncbeportal.kacst.gov.sa/en-US/Account/Login
- 2-page CV for all research team members (CV Template)
- The Informed Consent Statement form (Consent Statement Template)
- Copy of the questionnaires, or surveys (if applicable)
- Additional supporting document (if applicable)
- Submit your application here: (Application Link)
The IRB will review the submission and may request clarifications or modifications. Approval must be received prior to the start of the project.
4. CONTACT US
For inquiries, please contact: IRB@kfupm.edu.sa