UD’s Return to Research under COVID-19

LAST UPDATED: 6/26/2020

Guidelines & Resources

The University of Delaware is working to resume research operations — with the safety and wellbeing of the community our highest priority. All research work that can be performed remotely should continue remotely until further guidance is issued. This page provides an overview of UD’s phased-in return to research, in alignment with state and University guidance. It draws from a comprehensive plan developed with broad input from a working group including representatives from colleges, institutes, core facilities, environmental health and safety, communications, maintenance and operations.

Here, UD researchers also will find required forms that must be approved and access to training materials that must be completed prior to returning to campus, field-based or site-based research. A phased-in approach is being implemented. Review the phases below. If you think you (and your students/postdocs) are eligible for Phase 1, click on the first link to access the PI Return to Campus Request form—the first step in the process.

For additional information contact: UDResearch@udel.edu

Planning for Return to Research on Campus
Principles
  • Safety and wellbeing of the UD community is paramount.
  • Ensuring UD’s academic mission–learning, scholarly activities, public engagement–and position as a leading research university.
  • Maintaining our staffing to the greatest extent possible.
  • Follow public health and government authority guidance and recommendations.
    “…you don’t make the timeline, the virus makes the timeline.”— Dr. Anthony Fauci
  • Establish new and improved best practices and instill an enhanced culture of individual accountability and safety.
  • Overall Objective: Ramp up research activities as safely and expeditiously as public health recommendations permit.
Expectations
  • Safety and wellbeing of the UD community is paramount.
  • Measured and phased ramping up of research activities.
  • Continue to perform research remotely as much as possible.
  • If there is a significant increase in infections, it may be necessary to return quickly to an earlier phase to protect health and safety.
  • Physical distancing will remain in place, thus, laboratory or field-based procedures requiring close proximity (i.e., < 6 ft) of researchers will not be permitted.
  • Research work conducted by trained independent researchers not requiring direct mentorship in research techniques that would require close physical proximity of individuals.
  • New standards for protective personal equipment required including training on use. Individuals within facilities must wear a mask at all times, except, for example when alone in a single person office. Masks required for outside work when in close proximity (< 6 ft.) to others. Eating within indoor common or research spaces (e.g., break rooms, desks) will not be allowed until phase 4.
  • Support and protect those individuals in vulnerable populations.
  • Implement a fair, transparent and accountable process for granting access.
  • Expect high levels of enforcement of protocols and individual accountability.
Research Space Categories and Definitions
Field-based research: Entirety of research work conducted outdoors on non-human subjects without dependence on indoor UD research facility. Data processing can be done off-campus (e.g., at home, remotely). Field-based research that requires access to any indoor research spaces (defined below) will be considered indoor research and will be subject to indoor research guidelines.

Common spaces: Spaces in research facilities such as lunchrooms, break rooms, classrooms and open desk environments, e.g. carrels, shared desk/workspaces.

Open offices: Spaces where desks are assigned within a larger room. Desks may or may not be with half walls surrounding the desk, i.e., carrels.

Shared offices: Smaller office spaces where desks are assigned to multiple people.

Office: Single room assigned to a single individual.

Open research laboratories: Laboratories where two or more PI groups share a single laboratory.

Single PI research laboratories: Laboratories assigned to a single PI group.

Common research spaces (controlled access): Research spaces not assigned to a single PI, but used commonly by researchers who have key card or key access.

Common research spaces (non-controlled access): Research spaces not assigned to a single PI, access potentially allowed to all UD researchers.

Core facilities: Managed research spaces that provide instrument access and research services to UD and outside researchers. Space is managed by a core facility director.

Human-subjects research: Work involves in-person contact between a UD researcher or an extension/outreach agent and a human research subject or outreach participant, regardless of whether contact occurs in a UD facility.

Health Screening Protocols

Applicable to all individuals working and visiting campus. Daily home health screening. Record and document daily

If feeling ill or have a fever, cough, difficulty breathing and/or loss of taste or smell stay home and call your healthcare provider (faculty, staff) or Student Health Services (students).

Wash hands frequently. Avoid touching your face. Sneeze, cough into your elbow.

If in contact with a COVID-19 positive individual, need to self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to work.

PPE Requirements

Cloth masks required when traveling to/from and on campus when physical distancing is not possible. Procure at least two cloth masks per person. UD provides cloth face masks for all employees. Employees are permitted to use their own cloth face masks provided they meet CDC requirements. Employees wash masks daily with hot water and soap/detergent. Continue with standard PPE use for labs following SOPs. UD procuring PPE centrally for purchase by lab groups, units, etc. Contact  UD Environmental Health and Safety and Fisher Scientific.

Physical Distancing

Follow current CDC guidelines. Keep at least six feet away from other coworkers. Do not gather in groups consistent with Delaware state guidance (currently no more than 10). Continue desk and group work remotely. Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when around others, including when in public and at work. If possible, avoid using any kind of public transportation, ridesharing, or taxis.

Protecting Vulnerable Populations

UD is committed to the health and wellbeing of all employees and students, including individuals from vulnerable populations. Resources to consult for guidance include your advisor/supervisor, graduate program director or Human Resources, as applicable. Questions regarding accommodations may be directed to Disability Support Services.

Facilities

Clean, disinfect using PPE–gloves, aprons and masks. Restrooms and common areas cleaned and supplies replenished frequently.

Common/gathering areas remain locked, whenever possible until at least phase 3.

Electronics. Consider putting a wipeable cover on electronics. Follow manufacturer’s instruction for cleaning and disinfecting. If no guidance, use alcohol-based wipes or sprays containing at least 70% alcohol. Dry surface thoroughly.

Coordinate the posting of signage for cleaning, disinfecting and personal hygiene with Environmental Health and Safety. Other building signage is being handled centrally by UD Facilities, Real Estate and Auxiliary Services.

 

Compliance

UD is a supportive campus community that advocates for each individual’s voice to be heard. Every member of the community is accountable for themselves and others. UD endorses a “see something, say something” mindset to ensure health and safety as we return to campus. Individuals are directed to the UD compliance hotline for anonymous reporting of non-compliance with any aspects of research ramp-up guidelines, including state guidance, physical distancing protocols or pressure to perform outside of an individual’s comfort zone.

COVID-19 Planning Group

This working group met remotely every Monday from mid-March through mid-May 2020 to discuss concerns and plan toward a future ramp-up of UD’s research operations. Research phasing is now under the guidance of the Research and Graduate Education Campus Reopening Committee.

Charlie Riordan, Chair
Vice President, Research, Scholarship & Innovation

Tracey Bryant
Senior Director, Research Communications

Jeffrey Caplan
Director, Bio-Imaging Center

Judy David
Assoc. Director, Custodial & University Services

Laura Desimone
Director of Research Education & Human Development

Paul Dickinson
Director, Maintenance & Operations

Doug Doren
Interim Dean, Graduate College

Tim Dowling
Director, Student Health Services

David Edwards
Assoc. Dean, Health Sciences

Jeff Friedland
Assoc. Vice President, Research Administration

Mike Gladle
Director, Environmental Health & Safety

Jennifer Horney
Director, Epidemiology Program

Sylvester Johnson
Director, Custodial & University Services

Murray Johnston
Assoc. Dean, Arts & Sciences

Sheryl Kline
Deputy Dean, Business & Economics

Dave Martin
Assoc. Dean, Engineering

Cordell Overby
Assoc. Vice President, Regulatory Affairs & Compliance

Gerald Poirier
Facility Manager, Advanced Materials Characterization Lab

Sindhuja Sunder
Graduate Student, Geography & Spatial Sciences

Gwen Talham
Director, Animal Care Program

Fabrice Veron
Deputy Dean, Earth, Ocean & Environment

Eric Wommack
Deputy Dean, Agriculture & Natural Resources

PI Return to Campus Request Form

Must be completed to access campus facilities

Return to Research Checklists

For access to campus facilities and human subject interaction

Employee & Student Training

All employees must complete required safety training

PI Return to Campus Request Form

Must be completed to access campus facilities

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PI Return to Campus Request Form

Approvals to perform work by phases.
PIs must review the guidance of phased research ramp-up below. Then, PIs must submit an application to return to campus on behalf of themselves and/or their coworkers and students to unit head; unit head reviews and sends recommendation to dean; dean reviews and sends approvals to Provost/VPR for final approvals. All personnel approved in phases 0-4 need to be documented with online records kept per unit and per building/facility. Onsite work approved to begin in a specific phase continues in subsequent phases. However, new and/or expanded work efforts for subsequent phases must be requested and approved.

Return to Research Checklist

For access to campus facilities and human subject interaction

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Return to Research Checklist

The Research Office is providing two checklists to aid in returning our research community back to campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. All University of Delaware PIs and core facility directors conducting research or who are part of UD Research must complete a research ramp-up checklist. A link to this checklist can be found below.

If a PI’s research involves human subject interaction procedure modification and adjustments must be in place to conduct in-person interactions. These procedures must be approved by the IRB when required, prior to completing the Research Office online form requesting permission to return to campus. Prior IRB review and approval is required for any proposed research protocol modifications beyond the incorporation of COVID-19 related health screening questionnaires/temperature checks, and implementation of PPE and physical distancing modifications, or phasing of different populations enrollment (e.g., not enrolling COVID-19 vulnerable populations). A link to this checklist is below.

Employee & Student Training

All employees must complete required safety training

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Employee & Student Training

During the COVID-19 pandemic all University of Delaware faculty, students, staff and visitors who are conducting research or who are part of the UD Research must complete training and adhere to guidelines of their respective programs. Click below to complete this training:

UD Workplace Guidelines

Return to campus guidelines for all UD employees

Home Health Screening

Are you at risk of COVID-19 exposure?

Campus Reopening and Planning

Task forces guiding UD’s phased approach to reopening

Research Ramp-Up Phases

Click on each phase for more details.  We are now reviewing PI request forms for Phase 2. If you already have campus access and are bringing additional coworkers on-site and/or accessing additional space you must submit a new Phase 2 request.

PHASE 0

BEGINNING PHASE

Essential Maintenance of Effort
COVID-19 PPE Production

THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

PHASE 1

TIMELINE JUNE

Time-Sensitive Research
Some Field-Based Research

10-15%

OF THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

PHASE 2

ACTIVE/JUNE-JULY

Lab-Based Research Gradual Ramp-Up
All Field Based
Limited Human Subjects Work
Studio Activities: Visual, Art, Design

~33%

OF THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

PHASE 3

TIMELINE TBD

Further Research Gradual Ramp-Up
Some In-Person Human Subjects

~67%

OF THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

PHASE 4

TIMELINE TBD

New Normal
All On-Campus Research Resumes

85-100%

OF THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

PHASE 0

Essential Maintenance of Effort
COVID-19 PPE Production

THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

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PHASE 0

BEGINNING PHASE

Essential Maintenance of Effort
COVID-19 PPE Production

THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

EXTERNAL CONDITIONS

Governor’s stay at home order in place; travel restrictions. Local/regional COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations increasing; limited COVID-19 testing (diagnostic and/or antibody); limited access to PPE

RESEARCH EFFORTS

PHASE 0. ESSENTIAL WORK: Maintenance of animal and critical cell lines, equipment; activities that directly support state of Delaware requests.
 

  1. Projects that directly address COVID-19 research, and PPE manufacturing and production.
  2. Essential staff only in UD research facilities, comprising < 5% of research and facilities personnel.
  3. Building managers and academic unit leaders prepare movement plans for research buildings and place signage and instructions within buildings. These plans should be broadly shared with researchers and plans should be posted at building entrances.
  4. Centralized procurement of PPE in anticipation of Phase 1 research. Phase 1 PIs prepare for research ramp-up; includes reviewing and revising standard operating procedures (SOPs), making changes to align with physical distancing guidance and the level of support infrastructure available.


PHASE 1

ACTIVE PHASE

Time-Sensitive Research
Some Field-Based Research

10-15%

OF THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

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PHASE 1

TIMELINE JUNE

Time-Sensitive Research
Some Field-Based Research

10-15%

OF THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

EXTERNAL CONDITIONS

Governor’s stay at home order and restrictions loosening. Local/regional COVID-19 cases decreasing for 14+ days, hospitalizations flattening; COVID-19 testing (diagnostic and/or antibody) availability increasing; identification of new COVID-19 cases with quarantining and contact tracing; limited access to PPE may remain.

RESEARCH EFFORTS

PHASE 1. Time-sensitive and field-based research that can be performed safely with physical distancing and limited support infrastructure, highly-limited return to indoor research spaces. Expectation of ~10-15% of total UD research-related workforce researchers and essential support personnel returning to campus facilities and field-based work. Disruption of effort/data collection causes catastrophic data loss or delays. Seasonal data collection such as outdoor non-human subjects field and agricultural work; long-term longitudinal studies; animal experiments where a delay would result in euthanasia or loss of a colony.

In this limited phase, prioritized research includes:

  1. Prioritize access for graduate students and postdocs close to completion where lack of campus access will jeopardize timely degree or term of appointment completion. Graduate students scheduled to graduate in May or August 2020. Postdoc appointments ending on or before August 31, 2020.
  2. Prioritize research work of
    a) tenure track (not yet tenured) faculty,
    b) sponsored projects with fixed, time-sensitive deliverables and
    c) sponsored projects with no ability to charge salaries/stipends for no-work.

Core facilities resume limited operations to support time-sensitive research within this phase and to prepare for the next phase of research ramp up. For information regarding library access visit the Library, Museums and Press website.

PIs prepare for Phase 2 research ramp-up; includes reviewing and revising SOPs, making changes to align with physical distancing guidance and the level of support infrastructure.

UD establishes self-reporting system for symptom and exposure monitoring via Qualtrics or similar platform.

Research work that can effectively be performed remotely should continue to be done remotely.

 

PHASE 2

Lab-Based Research Gradual Ramp-Up
All Field Based

~33%

OF THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

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PHASE 2

ACTIVE/JUNE-JULY

Lab-Based Research Gradual Ramp-Up
All Field-Based Research
Limited Human Subjects Work
Studio Activities: Visual, Art, Design

~33%

OF THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

EXTERNAL CONDITIONS

Further relaxation of executive orders and restrictions. Local/regional COVID-19 cases significantly decreasing for 28+ days, hospitalizations decreasing; COVID-19 testing (diagnostic and/or antibody) availability meeting UD needs; Rapid identification of new COVID-19 cases with quarantining and contact tracing; PPE more widely available

RESEARCH EFFORTS

PHASE 2. Gradual expansion of on-site research or studio activities.

  1. Lab-based research ramps up to gradually increase the number of people on campus to ~33% of personnel working simultaneously with strict physical distancing requirements of PPE, no more than 2 people per lab bench, no more than 4 people per 1,000 sq. ft.; shift work and alternate day work schedules recommended. All field-based research can resume consistent with local guidance/conditions. Limited time-sensitive human subjects work may be possible depending on restrictions with prioritization of:

    • Research with significant likelihood of providing direct therapeutic benefit to the study participants, which outweighs the risk of COVID-19 exposure
    • Studies for which in-person research interactions can occur, with no added risk, in the context of a clinical care visit
    • Research with minimal physical contact/proximity with study participants.
  2. Studio activities, such as visual and performing arts and design, will be permitted.
  3. Instructional lab and studio spaces will be available to permit for preparation and redesign of fall semester classes.
  4. Common/gathering areas and multiple cubicle spaces and shared offices remain closed. Desk and group work continues remotely. Research work that can effectively be performed remotely should continue to be done remotely.
  5. Continued use of self-report for symptoms or exposure.

 

PHASE 3

Further Research Gradual Ramp-Up
Some In-Person Human Subjects

~67%

OF THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

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PHASE 3

TIMELINE TBD

Further Research Gradual Ramp-Up
Some In-Person Human Subjects

~67%

OF THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

EXTERNAL CONDITIONS

Further relaxation of executive orders and restrictions. Local/regional COVID-19 cases minimal, hospitalizations decreasing; COVID-19 testing (diagnostic and antibody) availability meeting local needs; Rapid identification of new COVID-19 cases with quarantining and contact tracing; PPE fully available.

RESEARCH EFFORTS

PHASE 3. Further expansion of on-site research.

  1. Further gradual relaxing of physical distancing requirements such that 67% of lab personnel are working simultaneously. Some in-person clinical and human subjects research or extension/outreach activities can commence provided subjects or participants are not from vulnerable populations.
  2. Research work that can effectively be performed remotely should continue to be done remotely.
  3. Limited access to common spaces consistent with executive order guidance on gathering group sizes in effect.
  4. Continued use of PPE and social distancing.


PHASE 4

New Normal
All On-Campus Research Resumes

85-100%

OF THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

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PHASE 4

TIMELINE TBD

New Normal
All On-Campus Research Resumes

85-100%

OF THE RESEARCH COMMUNITY

EXTERNAL CONDITIONS

Minimal to no government restrictions. Widespread testing, identification of new COVID-19 cases with quarantining and contact tracing, effective therapeutic(s) and/or vaccine widely available.

RESEARCH EFFORTS

PHASE 4. New Normal.

  1. All on-campus research permitted, including computational research, in-person human subjects research, and extension/outreach activities. Some physical distancing requirements remain in place. Common areas and shared offices re-open consistent with executive order guidance on gathering group sizes in effect. Should still consider performing work remotely.


Frequently Asked Questions

General
1. What requirements do principal investigators need to meet to return to campus facilities and fieldwork?

First, review this webpage and determine which research phase your team’s work belongs in. Once your research phase opens and applications are invited, follow the step-by-step process beginning with the PI Request to Return to Campus form, which will be routed to your department chair, dean, the provost and the vice president for research, scholarship and innovation for approval. Employee/student safety training and a ramp-up checklist are among the requirements before approval is provided—teams may complete these before their research phase opens.

 

2. Do I need to apply for Phase 2 access if I already have Phase 0 and/or Phase 1 access?

If you are bringing additional coworkers on-site and/or accessing addtional spaces, apply for Phase 2. If neither is the case, a Phase 2 application is not necessary.

 

3. How do I go about getting personal protective equipment (PPE) for my research team?

UD has centralized the purchase of PPE—including cloth face masks and plastic face shields—for research operations. Please contact Mike Gladle (mgladle@udel.edu) to place your order for cloth face masks, and Fisher Scientific for disposable face masks and all other types of PPE.

 

4. How many researchers are permitted to work in the laboratory at one time?

The number will depend on the research phase, which is driven by the Governor’s executive orders/restrictions, the status of COVID-19 in the community, and the availability of testing and PPE. Phase 1 research limits the number to two people per 1,000 square feet. Phase 2 increases to 4 people per 1000 sq.ft. while maintaining a distance of >6 feet from coworkers.
 

5. Can human subjects research be conducted now if the PI and/or team uses Zoom or telephone contact?

Yes, research of this nature is permitted.

 

5. When can face-to-face human subjects research resume?

Some face-to-face human subjects protocols can be conducted during Phase 2. The human subjects research checklist for return should be consulted for guidance and completed before activities resume.

 

7. Will undergraduate students be permitted to return to research labs and field activities?

UD prides itself on its strong tradition of undergraduate research. This summer, all of our undergraduate research programs are operating remotely. This fall, the involvement of undergraduate students in our laboratory, studio and field programs will depend on the research task, the experience and skillset of the student and the approval of the department chair, dean, the provost and the vice president for research, scholarship and innovation. Principal investigators should submit requests via the PI Request to Return to Campus form.

 

Human Subjects
1. Do I need to complete a "Human Subjects Research Checklist” ?

If your research involves in-person interactions, physically in the same space, regardless of where the space is located, with human subjects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then you must complete the “Human Subjects Research Checklist” prior to completing the Research Office online form requesting permission to return to campus.

2. Can UD researchers continue data collection in their IRB-approved studies?

Only if possible by remote means. In response to the declaration of national emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cases linked to our community, UD researchers working with human subjects were asked to halt all in-person research visits commencing 03/16/2020.

3. When will in-person research with human subjects re-start at UD again?

The University of Delaware is working to resume research operations — with the safety and wellbeing of the community as its highest priority. All research work that can be performed remotely should continue remotely until further guidance is issued. It is projected in-person research with human subjects will resume during phases 3 and 4, with some time-sensitive research to be potentially allowed in phase 2 of the UD ramp-up plan. Please visit COVID-19 Return to Campus webpage for up-to-date information, detailed guidance as it pertains to each phase, and a link to the online form required to request access to campus facilities.

4. Can IRB-approved protocols be modified to accommodate changes triggered by the COVID-19 crisis?

Yes. COVID-19-related changes to IRB-approved research protocols (e.g., changes to request on-line data collection from subjects, etc.) need to be submitted to the IRB via amendment and must be reviewed and approved prior to implementation.

DHHS and FDA regulations require that all changes in IRB-approved research must be reviewed and approved before changes may be implemented. The only exception to this requirement is that an emergency change may be made without prior IRB review and approval if it is done to eliminate an apparent immediate hazard to a specific participant. Emergency changes must be reported promptly to the IRB for review.

5. Can safety screenings related to COVID-19 (i.e., body temperature checks and health related questions) that may need to be implemented prior to in-person with research participants be implemented without IRB approval?

Yes. Researchers may implement COVID-19 related health screening protocols prior to in-person interaction with human subjects without requirement for those screenings to be approved by the IRB. Body temperature checks and other safety screening COVID-19 health-related questions can be collected and those modifications do not need to be submitted for IRB review and approval unless they are intended to be used as research data (e.g., co-variants, COVID-19 related studies).

Any other changes protocols may need related to COVID-19 (e.g., changes to inclusion/exclusion criteria, elimination of certain procedures previously approved and now removed from protocol, etc.) must be reviewed and approved by the IRB via the amendment process prior to implementation.

6. I have an ongoing study registered in Clinicaltrials.gov. Do I have to make any changes to my registration?

Any changes made for research purposes to a registered and approved trial must be updated in the ClinicalTrials.gov registration within 30 days after IRB approval of the modification.

7. I am a UD researcher conducting a multi-site study approved and overseen by another institution’s IRB (under single IRB review). What should I do about the study?

Contact the study’s primary PI to request guidance from the reviewing IRB and proceed accordingly. There is no need for immediate submission of amendments to the UD IRB when relying on the review and approval of another IRB.

8. Is the use of remote online tools acceptable to collect data from research subjects?

Yes. Online tools to enable remote meetings can be used when conducting research with human subjects. Transition from in-person to online/remote data collection must be submitted as a protocol amendment to the IRB for review and approval.

UD central IT recommends the use of Zoom for remote meetings/interviews.  Zoom can be  downloaded  from My UD. UD offers several tips to manage privacy and security of meetings The use of HIPAA-compliant Zoom account should be considered when collecting sensitive research data.

 

9. How should informed consent be documented when in-person signature of paper documents is not possible?

If signed informed consents are required as per the IRB- approved protocol, a written consent (can be an electronic version) must be provided and signed by the subject of legally authorized representative and collected by the researchers some way (i.e., by mail, electronically signed, scanned/faxed, etc.). Exchange of signed documents must be done securely. The IRB suggest consultation with IT as to secured used of available resources https://www1.udel.edu/security/bestpractices/”.

If researchers propose to complete an informed consent process, but cannot obtain an original signature as per normal procedure, they may request a waiver of documentation of informed consent.  To qualify, the research must present no more than minimal risk of harm to the subjects and involve no procedures for which written consent is normally required. For example, a waiver of documentation of consent is sometimes appropriate for non-sensitive survey type research.  These justifications for a waiver of documentation should be added to the protocol form and must be approved by the IRB.

10. When can remote enrollment of research participants be proposed for studies?

Remote enrollment can be considered in cases in which no in-person visit with a subject is feasible prior to their study initiation. That is, study will only involve remote interactions/data collection, or study can start remotely prior to in-person visits (e.g., some initial data collection can be completed electronically or via on-line meeting tools). Studies requiring in-person interactions with subjects can propose remote conversations seeking verbal agreement to participate from the subject but should ensure signature is obtained in ink or electronically at the time of the first visit.

Changes to existing protocols related to remote enrollment of subjects must be submitted to the IRB for review and approval via the amendment process.

11. Is the UD IRB accepting and reviewing submissions?

Yes, the UD IRB staff and committee members are working normal hours. Email is checked periodically and the IRB staff are triaging the urgency of requests made to the IRB.

The volume of COVID-19 related applications to the UD IRB has increased significantly; consequently, turnaround times may be variable. Researchers are asked to plan accordingly as they prepare for return to in-person research with human subjects during UD ramp-up phases 3 and 4 and visit the COVID-19 Return to Research/ for more information.

12. Who should I contact if I have additional human subjects related questions?

For additional information, please reach out by email to University of Delaware – HSRB (hsrb-research@udel.edu) or by phone at (302) 831-2137.

Animal Subjects
1. What measures are in place to protect research animals while campus access is suspended?

High-quality animal care remains a high priority and will continue to be delivered during campus disruptions.

2. Are there any changes to your IACUC procedures?

No change in IACUC procedures are anticipated at this time. Please continue to submit protocols and amendments as usual, and there will be no change in the schedule for meetings for full IACUC review.

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