*VIRBs Access and Guidance*
| VIRBs Access and Guidance ***Includes correction to previous notice about the DMS ancillary process. |
| We are pleased to announce VIRBs went live yesterday, 8/7, and the production site is now available to the research community. The RAMS Systems web page contains all secure systems housed under the OVPRI. The RAMS-IRB system has been archived for read-only access. Moving forward, the VIRBs will be used for receipt and review of all IRB submissions. |
Points to consider when accessing the VIRBs:
1) All secure systems housed under the OVPRI are maintained behind the firewall and must be accessed through the RAMS VPN. Refer to the VCU Technology Services RAMS VPN guidance for instructions.
2) All of the Toolkit documents have been updated as part of the VIRBs rollout. As of August 7, 2025, you can find the new forms on the HRPP Guidance and Policies web page and in the VIRBs library that is built into the VIRBs.
3) If you are having trouble accessing or ‘viewing’ the VIRBs portal on the RAMS Systems page, please use the following troubleshooting tips:
–> Be sure your computer browser (google, firefox, etc. is up to date). This detail relates to the browser/search bar you use to access the electronic system.
–> Be sure your computer’s operating system is up to date prior to access. This is specific to the type of device you have (ex. Mac vs Dell).
–> Clear the cache/history on your personal device to assure that the most recent version of the web page is showing in your browser.
–> If you have completed these troubleshooting tips and still are having issues accessing/viewing the VIRBs portal, please reach out to our IT team at [email protected].
4) If you run into technical issues in VIRBs that have not otherwise been addressed through the guidance found on the New IRB Review System web page, reach out to [email protected] or [email protected] for assistance.
| Access VIRBs on the RAMS Systems web page Direct link to VIRBs: https://virbs.research.vcu.edu/IRB |
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*Reminder* VIRBs Ancillary Review Process The process for ancillary reviews in VIRBs has been posted on the New IRB Review System web page under the drop-down for ‘Ancillary Review Process’. This new guidance describes applicability of the HRP-309 – Ancillary review matrix, impact to DMS and COI reviews, and process for department head reviews. The HRPP would like to provide the following clarification concerning the linking of DMS applications and IRB protocols: |
***Please disregard the previously posted notice indicating the DMS would no longer be linked in VIRBs.
The DMS application and IRB submissions will remain linked by HM# between the two application systems. When submitting a data management plan to DMS for review, follow the instructions posted on the DMS website for linking the DMP to the IRB application. Currently, it is the IRB’s practice to require upload of the approved data management plan (DMP) for the IRB’s review when studies utilize Category 1 data. If there are any changes to the data management plan that impact the details within the protocol submitted for IRB review, such as changes in survey platform and other technology, or aspects that impact the privacy of participants or confidentiality of data, a modification will need to be submitted for the IRB’s review to bring the IRB protocol into alignment with the approved DMP.
To note: All institutional resources will be updated over time as the HRPP implements the VIRBs. Any current guidance that references to the archived IRB system, RAMS-IRB, will be reviewed and updated guidance will be rolled out on an ongoing basis.
| *Additional VIRBs Guidance* VIRBs demos and training videos can be found on the New IRB Review System web page and on the HRPP Kaltura Channel. To see our progress related to the VIRBs implementation, refer to the ‘VIRBs transition in process’ drop down found on the New IRB Review System web page. For all important upcoming dates and deadlines and to learn more about transitioning to a protocol-based application the HRPP website visit New IRB Review System: VIRBs (VCU IRB Review System). Reach out to [email protected] with questions about individual study requirements. |
*Reminder* Research Community Feedback Survey
The HRPP has received so much valuable feedback from the VCU research community during the VIRBs transition period. We are grateful for our dedicated research communities and all of the feedback we have received. Over the next couple weeks we would appreciate hearing from you again. Please take some time to complete this brief feedback form at the link provided below. The survey link will also be posted on the New IRB review system: VIRBs (VCU IRB system) web page for a brief period. Click on the link below to access the feedback survey!
VIRBs Research Community Feedback Survey