E-IRB Version 6 (V6) Update: October 21, 2026

Starting at noon on October 21, 2026, E-IRB will be offline for approximately one hour for an upgrade to Version 6 (V6). Please save your work before then. The V6 update builds new forms directly into the E-IRB application in place of some previously required attachments. These changes are aimed at improving compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The update also improves content and formatting throughout the system, including IRB Reviewer forms.

Researchers:

What happens to my application?

Draft applications (not submitted by noon on October 21, 2026): These convert automatically to V6.
Applications submitted before noon on October 21, 2026: These do not receive the update and remain Version 5 (V5). This applies to applications in the researcher's Inbox (the default Dashboard view upon logging into E-IRB) and on the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) or Institutional Review Board (IRB) Dashboards.
Approved V5 applications: Creating a Modification Request (MR)/Reliance Renewal, Continuation Review (CR), or Annual Administrative Review (AAR) converts the application to V6. New forms activate when applicable, and details from previously attached forms must be moved into the new section form before you can submit.

What changes in V6, and what do I need to do?

No previously saved data or attachments will be lost. However, the sections listed below will lose their blue checkmark when the application converts to V6, even if they were previously completed.

A blue checkmark means a section is complete. A pencil icon means information is missing or needs verification. Please open each section with a pencil icon to review new questions for accuracy and completeness and save the section to restore its checkmark. All sections must have a checkmark before the application can be submitted.

For approved studies, restoring the checkmark in a section listed below requires incorporating details from the previously attached form into the new section form.

Exemption Categories: Selecting Exemption Category 2 or 3 with plans to retain identifiers prompts completion of the Limited Review form within the section.
Subject Demographics, Impaired Consent Capacity: If the study focuses on adult subjects with conditions resulting in impaired consent capacity, a new Impaired Consent Capacity subsection must be completed.
HIPAA: If identifiable medical record information will be acquired before obtaining informed consent ("yes"), the Waiver of Authorization Request form within the section must be completed.
Study Drug Information: Studies involving an investigational drug will be prompted to provide details about each drug within the section.
Study Device Information: Studies involving an investigational device will be prompted to provide details about each device within the section.
Research Attributes: A new attribute for Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) research will be available. Check it if the proposed research uses or develops any AI-based tool, model, or software.

New feature: “Other Reviews” (Protocol Violation, Unanticipated Problem, Deviation/Exception, or Administrative Study Closure)

Currently, Review Notes (comments) inserted on an “Other Review” in progress are not editable. In V6, Review Notes (comments) entered on an “Other Review” will be editable while the submission is in progress.

What changes should IRB Reviewers expect?

Expedited Reviewer form: If the proposed research activities do not fit into one of the Expedited categories and you indicate this in the form ("no"), all subsequent questions are disabled. Please provide your justification in the Comment field of the IRB Review task.
Assigned Reviewer forms: These forms contain specific questions that require a response to properly document determinations. After you attempt to "Complete Review," any question in the separate forms or on the "Finish" tab that is missing a required response will be flagged with a red "*Required" label above the question.

Need help?

If you encounter issues with E-IRB after the update, submit a ticket to E-IRBsupport@uky.edu and it will be addressed as soon as possible. For questions about your application or navigating E-IRB, reach out to the ORI staff person who manages your application or IRBsubmission@uky.edu.