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Institutional Review Board (IRB)

The William & Mary Institutional Review Board (IRB), formerly PHSC, is an administrative body charged with overseeing protocols involving human participants to ensure that research protocols follow OHRP regulations.

The collapsible list displays FWA, IRB, and IORG numbers for William & Mary.

Federalwide Assurance Number

An FWA is an assurance of compliance submitted to the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) by an institution that is engaged in nonexempt human subjects research conducted or supported by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or another U.S. Department or Agency that uses OHRP’s FWA. Renewal is required every 5 years.

William & Mary's FWA is FWA00008186
(Expires 7/22/2030)

IRB Name and Registration Number

The HHS regulations at 45 CFR part 46, subpart E, require all IRBs to register with HHS if they will review human subjects research conducted or supported by HHS and are to be designated under an assurance of compliance approved for federalwide use (i.e., an FWA) by OHRP. Renewal is required every 3 years. Any updates made to the IRB registration begin a new 3-year registration period. 

  • IRB Name: College of William & Mary IRB #1 - PHSC
    IRB number: IRB00004701
    (Expires 02/04/2029)

IORG Number

The Institution or Organization (IORG) number is a unique number assigned by OHRP to an institution or organization the first time an institution or organization registers an IRB.

The IORG number for William & Mary is IORG0003966. 

Looking for another institution's FWA? Use the OHRP search tool to find it.

Quick Start: Managing an IRB Protocol

You must use SPARCS to submit your project proposal.

A properly completed protocol will include a rationale for the study, full procedures, description of the participants, copy of all surveys, questionnaires, all interview questions, the informed consent form, and other pertinent information.

Does my Research require IRB Oversight? 

Your study may require IRB oversight if it meets all aspects of the 45 CFR 46 regulatory definitions for "Human Subject" and "Research."

irb oversight flow chart

Still unsure? Complete the Qualtrics Survey, Oversight Determination Assessment

Note: The Qualtrics survey is a tool and is not an official IRB determination.

For official IRB review, you must submit an "Oversight Determination" (opens to a video) in SPARCS Cayuse. Under 'Type of Review/Overview,' select 'Determination if study is IRB regulated research.