Education: IRB Training & Opportunities

Education Opportunities

UCSF Clinical Research Resource HUB's Suggested Training for Clinical Research: The HUB has published a useful checklist for both onboarding and ongoing training for Clinical Research Coordinators, PIs, and other research support staff at UCSF.

iRIS Interactive Tutorials: Visit the iRIS Help website (MyAccess login required) to access a comprehensive suite of resources for working in iRIS. This includes interactive online tutorials, quick guides, and exemplary IRB applications to assist with your submission process.

CITI Training

All Key Personnel at UCSF or affiliated sites involved in Human Subjects Research are required to complete CITI training in human subjects protection (HSP). This requirement applies to Key Study Personnel on Exempt, Expedited, and Full Board studies. To check your CITI training status and for detailed instructions on completing or updating your training, please refer to the following lists:

Human Subjects Protection (HSP)

Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

In-service Education Training

Need an in-service for your department? In-Services are a great way to educate a team or department for specific topics and assure all attendees hear the same information.  To request an in-service training session please fill out this form. 

Questions? We encourage you to submit your questions to us using the "Ask Andy" Analyst of the Day form.

IRB Research Tools and Checklists

These tools and checklists are designed to support compliance and streamline study processes:

Submission and Reporting:

Consent:

Study-Specific Documents:

Quality and Compliance Documentation:

Community Training Involvement in Research Training (CIRT)

The Community Involvement in Research Training (CIRT) Certification, developed by the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), introduces the ethical principles of research to individuals without academic or scientific backgrounds. Designed for community-based research contexts, this program offers an accessible way for non-academic participants to engage with research practices responsibly and effectively.

Who Is the CIRT Certification For?

  • Community members participating in research initiatives.
  • Staff from non-profit organizations or community groups collaborating with academic researchers.
  • Individuals without formal academic training who wish to learn about research ethics and processes.

Key Points to Note

  • The CIRT Certification is specifically tailored for non-academic audiences and does NOT replace the CITI Training required for academic researchers and students.
  • Researchers and students affiliated with academic institutions MUST complete the CITI Program Training for certification to meet institutional and federal requirements.

What Does CIRT Cover?

  • Recruitment and informed consent procedures.
  • Best practices for collecting and protecting data.
  • Addressing challenges during participant interactions.
  • An overview of research terminology, people, and methods.
  • The history of research abuses and the ethical principles that guide current rules and regulations.

Available Languages

  • CIRT Certification Online is available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole.

Getting Started

To explore CIRT and access training materials, visit the CIRT Training Portal. The program provides a clear path for community members to gain confidence and understanding in their research roles.

  1. Go to CIRT Training Portal 
  2. Click "Register" (top right hand corner. Select "I am not from UIC")
  3. Complete the registration form. When asked to select a site, select "University of California, San Francisco".
  4. Click "Register" to finish.
  5. Visit the Course Catalog. Scroll until you find information about CIRTification. Click "Learn More" and "Enroll" to enroll in CIRTification.

Past Classes and Slides

Currently Unavailable: 

  • IRB Introductory Training Archived Webinar/Slides
  • Preparing a New IRB Application

Note: The IRB was formerly known as the Committee on Human Research (CHR), which is the term used in some of these presentations.

Other Education Resources

UCSF

Other Groups or Institutions

Federal Government

National Conferences and Workshops

Last updated: January 27, 2025