IRB Application Instructions Advertisements

If any materials will be used to recruit subjects for your research study, attach copies of the materials to be used (e.g., flyers, radio scripts, sponsor’s national advertising materials, etc.) in the Research Description section of your E-IRB application using the Attachments button under the Advertising question. For media videos, you may provide a transcript and screenshots or provide a link to a private website for the IRB to view.  If uploading to YouTube, click the "Visibility" setting and select either "Unlisted" or "Private" and save.  Please note: the IRB retains the authority to request additional information about recruitment materials if provided materials are not sufficient for making review determinations. 

For an overview, see the "Research Recruitment and Advertising in Human Research" video.

Advertisements must be reviewed and approved by the IRB prior to use. 

For additional details, see topic "Recruitment" or "Advertising" on ORI's IRB Survival Handbook web page for the PI Guide to Identification and Recruitment of Human Subjects for Research document. 

Generally, the IRB is not required to review clinical trial website postings unless the information goes beyond directory listings of basic descriptive information. See topic "Clinical Trials" on the IRB Survival Handbook web page for Guidance on IRB Review of Clinical Trial Websites.

All print and media advertisements you have developed to present to the public for recruitment purposes, must go through Public Relations Review (PRR) to ensure compliance with UK graphic standards and PR language requirements.

All research advertisements (medical and non-medical) must be submitted to the CCTS through their Service Request Form. For Public Relations Review click “Request Service” to access the form. Select “Public Relations Review (PRR) only.”

A template research study flyer (an editable pdf) is available to you. Visit Participant Recruitment Advertising to access that flyer and learn more.

Exception to PRR: Advertising material developed by an external sponsor as part of a national advertising campaign for multi-site study recruitment does not require review by UK PR. 

IRB review of these materials is still required.

CCTS Participant Recruitment Services (PRS) are available upon request to assist researchers with compliant recruitment material development, concurrent Public Relations Review (PRR), and marketing services to promote the study to the potential participants using numerous venues. The first batch of materials is FREE for all investigators who are new to using PRS services. PRS rates apply for subsequent modifications and/or protocol changes to these materials (after study has been IRB approved) and for all new, subsequent studies. Any paid advertisement or marketing must be funded by the study. 

For details regarding this service and contact information, visit CCTS Participant Recruitment Services. Click “Request Service” to access the CCTS Service Request Form, select “Participant Recruitment Services (PRS)” AND “Public Relations Review (PRR).”