Research Information & Guides

Federal-Wide Assurance Policy

Attention SPH Researchers:

The Federalwide Assurance Policy (FWA)was revised March 20, 2002. This policy is a federal requirement for federally funded research involving human subjects. If you are currently receiving federal funds and are conducting collaborative research with a partner (institution, agency, community group, etc.), in which the partner is engaged in conducting human research, the revised FWA policy may pertain to you.

Compliance with this policy is required before funds will be released to you and/or your partner(s). The policy requires your partner to complete a FWA form (an Agreement to Abide by the Belmont Report and the Federal Regulations). Further, 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.]

The Office of Human Research Protections (OHRP) has developed a website to assist investigators in filing for Federalwide Assurance. The "Step-by-Step Instructions for Filing a Federalwide Assurance for Domestic (U.S.) Institutions" can be found at this website:

http://www.hhs.gov/ohrp/humansubjects/assurance/filasuri.htm

For additional questions on OHRP's FWA policy, please contact the Administrator for the IRB by which your human subjects protocol is approved.