VA Human Research - South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS)
VAIRRS is the VA's enterprise version of IRBNet, a web-based software used by administrators, committee members, and researchers for electronic protocol submission/management and review and oversight of research.
All submissions (e.g., new protocols, amendments, continuing reviews, closures) must be submitted electronically via VAIRRS. E-mail and hard copy submissions will not be accepted. The only documents that should not be uploaded into VAIRRS are Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) forms (send by email according to the instructions on the applicable new study checklist below).
New Study Submission |
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New Study Submission |
Please note that projects that receive a non-regulated research determination from the IRB (e.g., quality improvement, program evaluations, implementation research) do not need to be submitted to the R&D Service through IRBNet if they are unfunded. If funded by a national VA Research Service (e.g., VA HSR&D) or non-VA entity (e.g., PCORI), the project should be submitted to the R&D Service via IRBNet. IRB non-regulated research determinations for a funded project can be submitted to IRBNet after IRB determination. If you think your project might be eligible for a non-regulated research determination (or are not sure), please contact the IRB. |
Continuing Review for an Existing Project |
If you need to submit a continuing review for an existing project, you need to create a new package within the existing project. See Training Energizer: Researcher 2. This will ensure that your submission is linked to the existing project. DO NOT create a new project. IRBNet reminder notifications indicate which form is required. If unsure, review the instructions at the top of each form or contact VAHumanResearch@uthscsa.edu |
Amendment/ Modification for an Existing Project |
If you need to submit a modification for an existing project, you need to create a new package within the existing project. See Training Energizer: Researcher 2. This will ensure that your submission is linked to the existing project. DO NOT create a new project. The R&D Committee must approve all modifications/amendments of studies not followed by an IRB. (e.g. research that is exempt from the common rule determined by a non-UTHSA IRB and/or research involving only non-human subjects data* or only animal data). For studies followed by an IRB, R&D Committee must approve 1) enrollment of non-Veterans at STVHCS (not previously approved), 2) changes in data access, use, disclosure, or storage; 3) addition or expanded use of institutional resources; 4) changes in PI or addition of Co-PI. If your amendment does not meet criteria indicated above, submit a summary of the changes (in the submission e-mail) and modified documents in IRBNet. An acknowledgement will be received through IRBNet after administrative review. |
Personnel Change for an Existing Project |
If you need to submit a personnel change for an existing project, you need to create a new package within the existing project. See Training Energizer: Researcher 2. This will ensure that your submission is linked to the existing project. DO NOT create a new project. Personnel are no longer listed on UTHSA IRB forms All personnel changes should be submitted on the VA-Project Cover Sheet in IRBNet. |
Inactivation for an Existing Project |
If you need to submit an inactivation for an existing project, you need to create a new package within the existing project. See Training Energizer: Researcher 2. This will ensure that your submission is linked to the existing project. DO NOT create a new project. |
IRBNet Registration and Training - gov.irbnet.org
Investigators can self-register for a VAIRRS account from virtually any computer and submit protocols at gov.irbnet.org. VAIRRS does not require a connection to the VA network.
New Registration & User Profile Instructions
- Training Energizer: New User Registration (create account, manage affiliations, maintain training records)
Help Documents For Researchers/Study Coordinators
- Training Energizer: Researcher 1 (create, share and submit a project; access review decisions & board documents)
- Training Energizer: Researcher 2 (post-submission topics; create a new package for modifications, renewals, etc.)
- VA Central IRB Submission (accepting all IRB submission in IRBNet)
STVHSC Standard Operating Procedures
Contacts
- Human Studies - VAHumanResearch@uthscsa.edu or Concierge Service Appointment
- Research Funding/Grants or New Research Investigator– Judith.Manning@va.gov to setup appointment with Associate Chief of Staff for Research
- Research privileges (e.g. Training / WOC / IPAAs) - Thomas.Sierra@va.gov and Elian.HolguinDiaz@va.gov
- Safety research subcommittee (SRS/IBC) and/or lab-only studies - VHASTXSafetyIACUC@va.gov