Research Participants
Protection of Research Participants
The University of Michigan is required, by federal law and our "assurance" with government to protect research participants and their rights.
One way we do this is to have research overseen by an Institutional Review Board or "IRB." The University of Michigan Medical School IRB is called IRBMED.
The purpose of the IRBMED is to promote the protection of human participants in research conducted at the Medical School , Hospitals, and Health Centers , including research conducted off-site. The IRBMED protects the rights and welfare of participants in clinical trials and other human subjects research studies by careful review and monitoring of research in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and University policies.
This means the IRBMED helps the researcher minimize the risks of the research. IRBMED reviews the informed consent document or process for each study to see if it contains all the information you need to make a decision. This includes the risks of the research, how much time it takes, and what costs could be charged to you.
If you have a concern about a research study, contact the IRBMED as listed below, or by call the University of Michigan Compliance Help Line at 1-888-296-2481.
IRBMED
2800 Plymouth Road
Building 200, Room 2086
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800
Telephone: 734-763-4768
Fax: 734-763-1234
e-mail: irbmed@umich.edu
Resources
The following federal government resources are helpful in understanding research, your rights as a subject, and what you should consider before joining a study.
Office of Human Research Protections- Becoming a Research Volunteer-It's Your Decision (PDF)
- Ser Voluntario en Estudios Clínicos: Es Su Decisión (PDF)
- Questions to Ask Before You Agree to Participate in Research
National Cancer Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Volunteer Information (PDF)
US Food and Drug Administration
- Why Volunteer? Clinical Trial Medical Treatments (for Spanish version click Espanol)
- Should Your Child Be in a Clinical Trial
Research Studies at the University of Michigan
"Engage" is the UM gateway to research throughout the University of Michigan, linking you to all types of research. New studies are added to the Engage Web site each day.
Information about other research studies currently recruiting participants is available at the links below and through clinicians in the University of Michigan Health System.
- ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and Neuropathy
- Cancer
- Ophthalmology (research about the eye)
