April 30, 2026
University of Missouri researchers who conduct studies with human participants periodically complete training modules through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program). Starting May 18, however, the Division of Research is requiring additional one-time training modules for new, non-student principal investigators (PIs) and anyone who submits an Institutional Review Board (IRB) clinical study application on behalf of a PI. Other required trainings go into effect on Aug. 31. View IRB training webpage.
Mizzou's Human Subjects Research Protections Program (HRPP) provides oversight for IRB policies and procedures that protect the welfare of research participants. New required and optional training modules are being introduced to:
- Enhance the quality and completeness of IRB submissions.
- Streamline the review process by reducing the number of submissions returned for revisions.
- Ensure awareness of regulatory and institutional requirements.
- Increase awareness of study coordinating responsibilities.
Required one-time trainings that take effect on May 18
- New PIs will be required to complete the PI Responsibilities module in eCompliance. This applies to any non-student researcher who has not previously served as a PI on a project reviewed by the MU IRB.
- Individuals submitting clinical study applications on behalf of the PI will be required to complete the Coordinating Responsibilities module in eCompliance.
After logging into eCompliance, select Institutional Review Board tile.
Under prerequisites, click on "MU HRPP/IRB Training Modules."
Required one-time trainings required starting Aug. 31
- New, non-student researchers will be required to complete a Basic Training module in eCompliance in addition to CITI training modules.
- Individuals submitting any type of study on behalf of the PI will be required to complete the Coordinating Responsibilities module in eCompliance. This includes any student submitting on behalf of a PI as well as co-investigators (Co-I), research staff, etc. Exceptions:
- A Co-I who has already completed the PI Responsibilities module and has served as a PI on a previous study will not be required to complete this module.
- Those who completed the Coordinating Responsibilities module for a clinical study (May 18 requirement) do not have to repeat the training.
Student researchers still need to complete the Student Training module in eCompliance, a requirement that took effect in August 2024.
Primary goals of the new modules
- PI Responsibilities — to ensure PIs, who are ultimately responsible for all activities occurring throughout a study, are well-prepared for key oversight responsibilities.
- Coordinating Responsibilities — to ensure individuals submitting information to the IRB are well-prepared and have discussed key components of the IRB application with the PI and other study team members before submission.
- Basic Training — to ensure new researchers understand the basic components of the IRB application and requirements, in addition to the ethical standards embedded within IRB policies and covered by federally required CITI training.
Optional training
Mizzou's HRPP/IRB team has developed new optional modules that provide more in-depth training in the following areas:
- Amendments — to prepare researchers for the types of questions and documents required for proposed changes to a study design.
- Noncompliance and Unanticipated Problems — to ensure researchers have access to noncompliance scenarios and are aware of how to report noncompliance to the IRB.
- Relying on External IRB — to ensure investigators relying on external IRBs for multisite research are prepared for the documents and processes that will be required by the MU IRB as a relying site.
Stay tuned for more optional trainings. Please email muresearchirb@missouri.edu to request specific topics.
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