Institutional Review Board (IRB)
Mission and Purpose
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Institutional Review Board (IRB) is an administrative body established to protect the rights and welfare of human subjects in research conducted under the directive of DSHS and requests submitted to DSHS programs that involve the use of identifiable information or specimens. This includes human subject research contracted to public or private entities. The IRB has the authority to approve, require modifications in, or disapprove all research activities that fall within its jurisdiction as specified in the federal regulations, state regulations and statutes, and institutional policy.
Texas Health & Human Services (HHS) DSHS IRB and HHSC IRB Scope and Responsibilities
There are two IRBs within HHS, each with the responsibility to protect human subjects in research or the use of their data.
- DSHS IRB reviews DSHS-affiliated* social, behavioral, educational, and health science research.
- IRB2 reviews HHSC-affiliated research on mental health, substance use, and intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
Subscribe
The DSHS IRB maintains an email distribution list through which we announce IRB changes that may impact researchers.
Office of Practice and Learning
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- Human Subject Protections
- Forms & Instructions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Meeting Schedule & Submission Deadlines
- IRB Members and Staff
- Required Training
- Glossary of Terms
- Using the DSHS IRB OneAegis System
- IRB Application Writing Guidance
- Requesting Access to the DSHS IRB OneAegis System
- Guide to the IRB at DSHS