Comprised of scientists and non-scientists, Kessler Foundation's Institutional Review Board (IRB) safeguards the rights, safety, and welfare of research participants at Kessler Foundation and Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation.
The IRB independently reviews studies to balance risks and benefits. It also ensures participants receive clear information to make informed decisions about their involvement in research.
The IRB meets once a month via Zoom on Wednesday at 9:00 am. See below for meeting dates.
Submit signed electronic copies to the IRB Office by 4:00 pm on the deadline day. Late submissions may be deferred to the next month.
| 2026 Deadlines | 2026 Meeting Dates |
| January 5 | January 28 |
| February 2 | February 25 |
| March 2 | March 25 |
| April 6 | April 29 |
| May 4 | May 27 |
| June 1 | June 24 |
| July 6 | July 29 |
| August 3 | August 26 |
| September 1 | September 23 |
| September 28 | October 21 |
| October 19 | November 18 |
| November 16 | December 16 |
Access all required IRB submission forms, policies, and guidance here. These resources assist in complying with research standards and ethical review procedures. Contact the IRB office with questions.
The Research Review Committee (RRC) assists the IRB by providing scientific expertise in the review process. Feedback from the RRC helps investigators maximize the scientific quality of their research study before proceeding to IRB ethical review. This process helps ensure that the risks of proposed studies are considered reasonable relative to the importance of the knowledge to be gained.
Kessler Foundation's IRB requires all research staff to obtain CITI (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative) certification in Human Research Protections, which is valid for three years. Investigators receive renewal reminders 90 days before their certification expires. The IRB also accepts certificates from other training programs if the curriculum aligns with National Institutes of Health standards, including federal regulations, regulatory guidance, and state laws on human-subject protections.
Institutional Review Board Team
