Step 2: Preparing and Submitting an IRB Application
Before your submit your application for IRB approval be sure to complete the steps necessary before your application.
CITI Trainings
All key personnel is required to have the following human subjects CITI Trainings in order for compliance with the IRB:
1. Social and Behavioral Responsible Conduct of Research Course
2. Social/Behavioral Research Course- often referred to as Human Subjects Research Course
Filling Out an Application
Download the WKU Human Subjects Application from IRBNet or the Human Subjects Application Page.
Complete all required sections of the application.
For more information on how to complete the application, please review the presentation below:
Completing the IRB Application Human Subjects Forms
Completing a Consent Document
A consent document should be completed alongside your application if you will be consenting participants. Templates provided by the Office of Research Integrity must be used and can be form within IRBNet or on the IRB Website.
For more information on how to complete the consent document, please review the presentation below:
1. Log in to IRBNet
2. Click Create New Project.
3. Complete all fields marked with a red asterisk (*):
- Research Institution: Western Kentucky University
- Title of Project
- Principal Investigator: First and Last Name
4. Click Continue.
You can also download the application materials from the IRB website under Human Subjects Forms
5. Under Select a Library, confirm it displays:
Western Kentucky University (WKU) IRB.
6. Under Select a Document, download the WKU Human Subjects Application.
7. Complete the application and save it to your computer.
8. Click Attach New Document.
9. Upload your completed application.
10. Under Document Type, select Application Form.
11. Upload the following required documents:
a. IRB application
b. Consent document (unless included within the application)
12. Upload any supporting documents, if applicable:
a. Email scripts
b. Recruitment flyer's
c. Budgets
d. Letters of support
(All documents can be uploaded on the same screen.)
This is needed if you have any other persons listed on the project. They will need to review and sign the package before approval.
13. Click Share this Package on the left-hand menu.
14. Select Organization:
Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY
Please note that if your personnel is from another institution please click on that institution before searching their name.
15. Search for the appropriate user(s).
16. For signature-only access, select Access Type: Read.
17. Click Save.
18. Click Sign this Package on the left-hand menu.
19. Select your title from the dropdown menu.
20. Click Sign.
21. Enter your IRBNet login credentials when prompted.
22. Click Continue to confirm the package has been signed.
23. Click Submit this Package on the left-hand menu.
24. Select Organization:
Western Kentucky University (WKU) IRB
Important: A COI (Conflict of Interest) option will also appear.
Ensure you submit to the IRB side, not COI, so the package is reviewed by the correct board.
25. Under Submission Type, select New Project.
26. Add any comments you wish to share with the IRB.
27. Click Submit.
When the IRB requests revisions, IRBNet will send you an email with the revisions. Please follow steps below to upload and re-submit:
1. Revise the documents requested
2. Open your project by name or IRBNet ID in My Projects
3. Open Designer on the left-hand tab
4. Click pencil icon next to the document to be revised, replace it with your revised document
5. Click Attach
Lock the Package
This must be completed in order for timely review of revisions. If the package remains unlocked the IRB will not be notified that revisions are completed and could result in delays.
The red unlock button in designer at the top signifies that the package is unlocked.
6. In Designer, press Mark Revisions Complete next to the red unlock symbol
7. Then click Submit
- If your package is locked and you need to upload additional documents or make a correction, please reach out to us and we will unlock your package for you.
- When submitting revisions please only alter documents in the current active package. Do not create a new project or package to upload revisions as this could cause delays or confusion
Some of the links on this page may require additional software to view.