RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (RDC)
All proposals submitted to the R&D Committee must be accompanied by a completed Request to Review Research Proposal (RRRP) Form.
The R&D Committee is responsible for promoting R&D programs that will assist VA Long Beach Healthcare System in providing quality patient care. According to VHA Directive 1200.01(1) Research and Development Committee (amended on January 8, 2021), and local policy, decisions concerning research matters will be made by the R&D Committee. The Committee advises the Medical Center Director on professional and administrative aspects of the R&D program. All R&D activities within VA Long Beach’s Healthcare System, whether funded or unfunded, are within its purview. Decisions on matters outside the committee's jurisdiction will be treated as recommendations to the Medical Center Director.
The Committee is responsible for maintaining high standards throughout the R&D Program. These standards include those assuring the scientific quality of the R&D projects, protection of human subjects, laboratory safety, and welfare of animal subjects in R&D.
Specific responsibilities of the R&D Committee include:
Planning, developing and assuming overall responsibility for all R&D activities
Maintaining the execution of the high quality of research by evaluating the quality, design desirability, propriety, and administrative feasibility of all research proposals, applications for grants, gifts, and donations, and recommending changes to research proposals in order to enhance the accomplishment of desired goals
Approving or disapproving the conduct of each research activity performed in the VA Long Beach Healthcare System
Approving the distribution of research funds, space, personnel, equipment, supplies, and common-use facilities
Making recommendations concerning the use of new investigational drugs and procedures for clinical research
Determining the extent to which the objectives of the R&D programs are being attained and their impact on maintaining and improving VA’s relationship with its academic affiliate, University of California, Irvine (UCI)
INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB)
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a component of the Research and Development (R&D) Committee. The R&D Committee and the IRB have been entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that research at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System is conducted under the most rigorous ethical standards in order to assure the protection of the rights, welfare, and safety of the Veteran patients under our care. Approval of a project by the IRB indicates conformity with the Federal Guidelines for Studies Involving Human Subjects known as the "Common Rule." Copies of the VHA Directive 1200.05, Requirements for Protection of Human Subjects in Research and the Federal Policy for Protection of Human Subjects; Notices and Rules, and local policies are available through the IRB.
IRB submissions must be complete, including all appropriate signatures.
All NEW studies must be submitted to the R&DC Coordinator.
New studies undergo an internal review process before being eligible for IRB review. The timeline for this process varies, so there is no set deadline for submitting new studies in order to get them reviewed or approved by a certain date. The Research Office recommends submitting studies as early as possible.
Definition of Research
Human Subject Protection Education (CITI Training)
IRB Forms
Federal Wide Assurance Number (FWA)
For assistance with Privacy and Confidentiality, contact:
Privacy Officers (PO) _____* or _____*
Confidentiality Information Systems Information Security Officer (ISSO)
INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE AND USE COMMITTEE (IACUC)
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is a subcommittee of the R&D Committee. The membership of the IACUC is comprised of scientists with related animal expertise, non-scientific members, and non-affiliated members who are representatives of both the scientific and lay community. The IACUC is responsible for overseeing the institution's animal care and use program, which includes the facilities, procedures, Animal Component of Research Protocol (ACORP) approval, and a semi-annual program and facility review. The IACUC is responsible for reviewing and approving all animal work as it relates to the laws, regulations, and policies applicable to research conducted at the VA Long Beach Healthcare System.
SUBCOMMITTEE ON RESEARCH SAFETY AND SECURITY (SRSS)
The Subcommittee on Research Safety and Security (SRSS) is a subcommittee of the Research and Development Committee (R&DC). The membership of the SRS includes staff with related safety and security experts who are representatives of the geographic makeup of individuals from the VA police, safety office, and medical research service.
For additional information, contact:
Research Safety Coordinator
The SRS is responsible for coordinating the safety program in all research areas, reviewing written safety plans, procedures involving biohazards, biological and chemical waste, research safety SOPs, training manuals, and Research Protocol Safety Surveys for all VA and non-VA funded research protocols. Regardless of funding source, all protocols must be reviewed and approved by this committee prior to implementation.