Washington University (WU) has implemented a fee schedule for the use of services provided by the Human Research Protection Office (HRPO) and the WU Institutional Review Boards (IRBs).  Select one of the three options for more information.

Email our Executive Director for questions about the fees.

Billing Information:

Fees are to be paid in full regardless of the ultimate disposition of the research. Fees are payable regardless of the following:

  • The submission is withdrawn
  • The study is not approved
  • Participants are never enrolled
  • A research contract is never executed
  • The study is terminated before the study objectives are achieved

Once a study is submitted, HRPO will create an invoice charging the cost center on file.  When submitting a Request to Rely (RTR), an authorized department official must attest that their department takes full responsibility for paying the review fee within 30 days of invoice.

HRPO has approval to charge all fund codes for IRB fees.  Internal Service Deliveries (ISDs), created by HRPO, must be paid within 30 days.

Invoices for single IRB fees, on completed reviews, are sent from the HRPO Billing Office, at a minimum, on a monthly basis. These can be sent to an internal WU department or external site. Arrangements for sending invoices will be made when a new sIRB study is submitted for review.

It is the Principal Investigator’s responsibility to incorporate the appropriate IRB fees in the funding agreement. It is recommended that language be included in the agreement indicating the funder will pay applicable IRB fees rather than designating a specific amount as fees may change over the course of the study.  Be sure to include all applicable institutional and department overhead charges.

Fee Waivers:

In some limited circumstances, the HRPO Executive Director may consider modification of the assessment of IRB fees. The waiver must be requested at the time the fee is due.  A waiver will not be granted after the fee is paid. All requests must be submitted via email.

The request should include:

  • The IRB ID number,
  • A copy of the contract and budget summary; and
  • A rationale for requesting the fee waiver.

Fee waiver requests will not be considered if any of the above items are missing. Fees cannot be waived for single IRB services. 

Contact current as of 10/5/2022