Effective August 12, 2020, there are some changes in how the Human Subjects Division (HSD) is identifying the human subjects research that is allowed during the COVID-19 pandemic. These changes draw upon improved knowledge about how to effectively manage the risk of COVID-19 infection.
The new and more direct risk-based approach retains the easiest-to-apply existing categories of allowed research (e.g., COVID research, most clinical trials) but supplements them with a COVID Relative Risk self-assessment tool to use with all other research.
Summary of the changes
- No already-active research is being halted. Already-started research that met the earlier criteria for being conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be allowed.
- All new and currently-halted research should be assessed against the revised criteria.
- Requirements for all in-person research. All research involving in-person interaction with participants, whether new or ongoing, must meet common-sense infection and risk control requirements (e.g., face coverings, screening for COVID symptoms) as described with the revised criteria.
Contact the Human Subjects Division at hsdinfo@uw.edu if you have any questions.