{"id":687,"date":"2018-01-04T09:57:40","date_gmt":"2018-01-04T14:57:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/hrpp\/?page_id=687"},"modified":"2026-03-23T13:42:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T17:42:08","slug":"human-research-protection-program-hrpp-accreditation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/hrpp\/human-research-protection-program-hrpp-accreditation\/","title":{"rendered":"Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Accreditation"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\">[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_btn title=&#8221;Ready to get started with your project? Click here&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#C5A868&#8243; custom_text=&#8221;#000000&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fresearch.uga.edu%2Fhrpp%2Foffice%2F&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<h2>Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Accreditation<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;15px&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1768932049866{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;background-color: #faf9f7 !important;}&#8221;]\n<h3>The UGA HRPP Site Visit was completed on 12\/10 and 12\/11\/2025!<\/h3>\n<p>First accredited by AAHRPP in June 2018, UGA\u2019s Human Research Protection Program received full reaccreditation in 2022. The application for reaccreditation was accepted on 9\/23\/2025 and the site visit conducted near the end of 2025.<\/p>\n<p>With this accreditation, UGA joins an elite group of institutions around the world that are committed to promoting AAHRPP\u2019s high standards for ethical research that prioritizes the safety and welfare of participants.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;716&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<hr \/>\n<h4>About AAHRPP and Accreditation<\/h4>\n<p>AAHRPP (pronounced \u201ca-harp\u201d) is an independent, non-profit organization that accredits high-quality human research protection programs in order to promote excellent, ethically sound research.\u00a0 To earn accreditation, organizations must provide tangible evidence\u2014through policies, procedures, and practices\u2014of their commitment to scientifically and ethically sound human research and to continuous improvement.<br \/>\nAAHRPP accreditation uses a set of objective standards to evaluate the quality and level of protection that an organization provides to research participants. \u00a0The process is based on self-assessment, peer assessment, and continuous quality improvement.<br \/>\nThe goals of AAHRPP accreditation are to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Improve and strengthen the systems that protect the rights and welfare of individuals who participate in research<\/li>\n<li>Communicate to the public the strength of UGA\u2019s commitment to the protection of human research participants<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The benefits of accreditation extend beyond the research subjects and to the research enterprise as a whole.\u00a0 To find out more about the value of accreditation, visit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aahrpp.org\/accreditation\/why-accreditation-matters\/overview\">AAHRPP: Why Accreditation Matters &#8211; Overview.<\/a><\/p>\n<h4>The Accreditation Process<\/h4>\n<p>There are four (4) major steps in the accreditation process.<br \/>\nThe first step is a comprehensive self-assessment and submission of the Step 1 application, which also included the development of new or revised policies and procedures.<br \/>\nThe application is reviewed and a response to the review along with any revised supporting documents is submitted as Step 2 Application.<br \/>\nThis is then followed by a site visit from AAHRPP to evaluate our human research protections program.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #3366ff\"><strong>*Forty individuals participated in the virtual site visit interviews 12\/10-12\/11\/2025.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p>AAHRPP selects the individuals to be interviewed.\u00a0 Anyone who has a role in UGA\u2019s HRPP may be selected for an interview; this includes principal investigators and research team members, IRB members and Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Office staff.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, AAHRPP&#8217;s Council of Accreditation will review the site visit report at its June 2026 meeting.<\/p>\n<p>For more information on AAHRPP, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aahrpp.org\/\">https:\/\/www.aahrpp.org\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h4>The UGA Human Research Protection Program<\/h4>\n<p>Although the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a major component in the protection of research participants, it is important to remember that it is the University\u2019s Human Research Protection Program (or HRPP) that will undergo review and accreditation.<br \/>\nThe HRPP is not an office, but rather the collective effort by all of the components that participate in the conduct, review, approval, education, quality improvement, and facilitation of human research at UGA to ensure that UGA complies with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and requirements and fosters a culture of ethical research.<br \/>\nFor an overview of UGA\u2019s HRPP, please <a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/units\/hso\/Presentation-HRPP-no.1.pptx\">download the presentation &#8220;HRPP-no.1&#8221; (PPTX, 937 KB)<\/a><\/p>\n<p>An <a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/policies\/compliance\/hso\/HRP-101-Human-Research-Protection-Program-Plan.pdf\">HRPP Plan<\/a> and the presentation &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iM3m_VfQCZc\">The UGA Human Research Protection Program (HRPP): IRB Reviews and Beyond!<\/a>&#8221; provides detailed information about the organization, scope, and its various components and responsibilities. UGA HRPP Policies and Procedures can be found in the <a href=\"https:\/\/policy.uga.edu\/policies\/#\/programs\/category\/63fcf886ffd21c001f63ad64?group=Human%20Research%20Protection%20Program\">UGA Policy Library<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For a quick overview of AAHRPP, the accreditation process, and your role in the accreditation process, please view this <a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/units\/hso\/Presentation-AAHRPP-no.2.pptx\">download the presentation &#8220;AAHRPP no. 2&#8221; (PPTX, 2.2 MB)<\/a><\/p>\n<h4>FAQs<\/h4>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_accordion section_title_tag=&#8221;h2&#8243; shape=&#8221;square&#8221; spacing=&#8221;5&#8243; gap=&#8221;5&#8243; active_section=&#8221;999&#8243; no_fill=&#8221;true&#8221; collapsible_all=&#8221;true&#8221; el_class=&#8221;accordionResearch&#8221;][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;What is AAHRPP and why is it important to UGA?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1515089651855-74e8ded7-9d3d&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]AAHRPP, the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs, Inc., is an independent, non-profit organization that reviews and accredits institutions engaged in human subjects research to protect the rights and welfare of the research participants.<br \/>\nAAHRPP accreditation bolsters the university\u2019s reputation as a leader in human subjects research. Research sponsors and other research partners increasingly consider AAHRPP accreditation before pursuing collaborations, or providing funding, for research.<br \/>\nFor additional information on the value of accreditation, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aahrpp.org\/accreditation\/why-accreditation-matters\/overview\">AAHRPP: Why Accreditation Matters &#8211; Overview.<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;What happens during the site visit?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1515425852570-749dfbf6-aa78&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]AAHRPP will select the individuals to be interviewed based on the protocols list and key HRPP personnel submitted with the accreditation application. Investigators will be selected who reflect the ranges of experience, protocol volume, types of ongoing research, and research risk levels at the organization. In addition to investigators, site visitors will interview study coordinators, co-investigators, and other study team members. Key HRPP personnel, IRB Members, and HRPP Office staff will also be interviewed.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;How will people be selected for interviews?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1515089651899-94af7fd2-e58b&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]AAHRPP will select the individuals to be interviewed based on the protocols list and key HRPP personnel submitted with the accreditation application. \u00a0Investigators will be selected who reflect the ranges of experience, protocol volume, types of ongoing research, and research risk levels at the organization.\u00a0 For example, the site visitors may want to interview investigators who research special populations like children or prisoners. In addition to investigators, site visitors will interview study coordinators, co-investigators, and other study team members.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;What interview questions will AAHRPP ask?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1515089908644-4f7e6dbe-1fbd&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]AAHRPP is interested in your awareness of and knowledge about key human research concepts and policies, including, but not limited to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Human research regulations such as the Common Rule (45 CFR 46), FDA regulations, the Belmont Report, and Conflict of Interest Policies<\/li>\n<li>Participant protections and the procedures you use to implement them such as elements of informed consent, strategies for minimizing risk, reporting of adverse event and unanticipated problems<\/li>\n<li>The\u00a0strength and effectiveness of the HRPP, including education and training, adequacy of resources for researchers, and HRPP structure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>NOTE: The specific questions you will be asked by the AAHRPP site visitors\u00a0will depend upon your role within the UGA HRPP.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;I\u2019m selected for the interview. How can I prepare for it?&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1515089950544-786b6b54-c2b3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]\n<ul>\n<li>If you have been selected for the AAHRPP site visit interview, the Research Compliance\/Human Subjects Office staff will help prepare you for the interview.<\/li>\n<li>View the following short powerpoint presentations:\n<ul>\n<li>HRPP Presentation \u2013<a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/units\/hso\/Presentation-HRPP-no.1.pptx\"> An overview of UGA\u2019s HRPP and its various components<\/a><\/li>\n<li>AAHRPP Presentation \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/docs\/units\/hso\/Presentation-AAHRPP-no.2.pptx\">An overview of the accreditation process and your role in the accreditation process<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>Review the HRPP policies and procedures that are available in the <a href=\"https:\/\/policy.uga.edu\/policies\/#\/programs\/category\/63fcf886ffd21c001f63ad64?group=Human%20Research%20Protection%20Program\">UGA Policy Library<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For questions or additional information contact Kim Fowler at 706-542-5318 or <a href=\"mailto:kfowler@uga.edu\">kfowler@uga.edu<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_btn title=&#8221;Ready to get started with your project? Click here&#8221; style=&#8221;custom&#8221; custom_background=&#8221;#C5A868&#8243; custom_text=&#8221;#000000&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221; link=&#8221;url:https%3A%2F%2Fresearch.uga.edu%2Fhrpp%2Foffice%2F&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;] Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) Accreditation [\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;15px&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1768932049866{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-right: 30px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 30px !important;background-color: #faf9f7 !important;}&#8221;] The UGA HRPP Site Visit was completed on 12\/10 and 12\/11\/2025! First accredited by AAHRPP in June 2018, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":76,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-687","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/hrpp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/687","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/hrpp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/hrpp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/hrpp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/76"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/hrpp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=687"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/hrpp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/687\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2232,"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/hrpp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/687\/revisions\/2232"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/research.uga.edu\/hrpp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=687"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}