June 3, 2002

Dear SPH Researchers:

There is a revised Federal requirement regarding federally-funded research involving human subjects research policy that may apply to you - please read the following carefully. If you are currently receiving federal funds and are collaborating with another partner (institution, agency, community group, etc), in which the partner is "engaged" in conducting human research, the revised Federal -wide Assurance policy may pertain to you.

Compliance is required before funds will be released to (you and/or) your partner(s). The revised Federal-wide Assurance policy took effect March 20, 2002. Basically it will require your partner to complete a FWA form (an Agreement to abide by the Belmont Report and the Federal regulations), and if UIC is designated to serve as the IRB Board - you and your partner will also need to complete an institutional agreement (IRB Authorization Agreement). This new policy replaces the old Multiple Project Assurance (MPA), Cooperative Project Assurance (CPA), and Single Project Assurance (SPA) policies. [Under Federal regulations, any institution engaged in Federally-supported human subjects research must commit itself in writing to the protection of those subjects. This written commitment is called an Assurance of Compliance.]

Attached is a flowchart (in PDF) to assist you in determining if your partner will need to complete the Federalwide Assurance forms. The flowchart directs you to the federal OHRP website which includes: ~ background information on the new assurance compliance policy ~ how to determine if your partner will need to complete these forms - "engaged in the research" ~ a listing of institutions with FWA approval For additional questions on OHRP's FWA policy, please contact the IRB Board Administrator in which your human subject protocol is approved.

Office of Research Services, Office of the Dean