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VA Research Resources

VA research is research conducted by VA investigators (serving on VA compensated, WOC, or Intergovernmental Personnel Agreement appointments) while on VA time or on VA property. The research may be funded by VA or by other sponsors, or be unfunded.

OUHSC IRB serves as the IRB of record the VA Health Care System in Oklahoma City (OKCVAHCS) and Eastern Oklahoma (EOVAHCS), located in Muskogee. Proposed VA resesarch requires approval by both the OUHSC IRB and the OKC VA R&D Committee prior to initiating any research activities. The HSC IRBs shall apply the requirements of 38 CFR Parts 16 and 17 as well as all applicable VHA Handbooks, Directives, and Guidance when reviewing and making determinations for research conducted at the VA.

VA Research - Review Workflow

At a minimum, research studies involving human participants require review and approval by both OUHSC IRB and the OKC VA R&D Committee. The main steps for committee reviews are outlined below. 

Please note that VA researchers will utilize IRBNet through the VA for R&D review and iRIS through OUHSC for IRB review. 

  • VA researchers begin the review process by submitting materials to the OKC VA R&D Committee first for a preliminary review by the Privacy Officer (PO). 
  • After preliminary review by the VA PO, VA researchers may submit their study to the OUHSC IRB in iRIS. The submission packet to the IRB must include documentation or evidence of PO approval of the VA HIPAA Form 10-0493, when applicable. 
  • Upon IRB approval, VA researchers submit necessary materials and evidence of IRB approval to the OKC VA R&D for review and approval. 

VA Consent Form and HIPAA Authorization Form

The VA Consent (10-1086) and VA HIPAA Authorization for Research (10-0493) templates are located in the Researcher Toolkit.

All documents and materials required for VA R&D review are now located in IRBNet. Contact the VA Research Admin for more information.
 

Accounts for VA Researchers

iRIS: Information about how to establish an OU IT Account and obtain an iRIS account is located on the iRIS page. 

IRBNet: VA personnel who need to establish accounts in IRBNet must contact VA Research Admin.
 

VHA Directives & Handbooks

VA Researchers should review and understand the directives linked below to ensure compliance with research and reporting requirements. VA researchers should also review the OU HRPP VA policy.

Click HERE to visit the library of VHA Publications
 

OKC VA Research Admin

VA Research Admin Email

New Employees - VA Research Admin