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.
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 Submissions (accepting all VA CIRB submissions in IRBNet)
- My COI Study Team Training Document (financial conflict of interest (FCOI) forms are now required 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