How to Get Started in Research

All KSP associated with a research project must complete the required UTHSC COMC Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). UT Health Science Center College of Medicine Chattanooga IRB approval of any new application, continuing review, or revision application is contingent upon training completion. 

There are a number of modules, some geared primarily to biomedical research, some to social/behavioral research. There is one that has been designed specifically for the University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga as part of the University of Tennessee system.  Do not confuse it with UTC. Review of all modules is encouraged, but learners are only required to complete the modules according to their category, which is defined by title/group (e.g. Clinical Investigators and staff, IRB Members, IRB Administrators, Institutional Officials or students), as indicated in the CITI introduction.  BASIC Human Subject Research + Good Clinical Practice Modules are required.  CITI courses must be passed at 85% or higher and expire every 3 years.  Specific instructions for registering and completing required modules can be found at our CITI Training page. 

If you have completed CITI at another institution, you can affiliate your certification with UT Health Science Center College of Medicine Chattanooga by completing the following:

• Go to citiprogram.org
• Log in with your username and password, which will take you to the main menu.
• In the blue banner, click “Add Institutional Affiliation”
• Select “University of Tennessee College of Medicine Chattanooga” from the list of institutions.
  Follow the online instructions

Instructions for registering for IRBNet are under the IRB Guidance Documents and Policies Tab on our website. When registering, you must affiliate with the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga, TN IRB. 

You will need to affiliate with the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga, TN

You will also find the IRB policies at Chattanooga IRB Guidance Documents and Policies. 

Instructions for submitting initial and subsequent packages are under the IRB Guidance Documents and Policies on our website.  When registering, you must affiliate with the UT College of Medicine Chattanooga, TN IRB.

Once you log into IRBNet click “Create a New Project”.  Once your project is created you may attach project documents and share the project with other users.

Click on the “Designer” tab for the Initial Application Wizard Form and to upload your required documentation.

All IRB forms and documents are located under the Library and Template tab within IRBNET.  Please read the first document READ FIRST for a list of required documents and electronic signatures.

If you are unsure about a question (such as whether your project should receive Exempt/Not Human Subject Research (NHSR), Expedited, or Full Board review), please refer to the Levels of IRB Review or contact the IRB office at 423.778.3818.

Once a package has been submitted, it becomes “locked” you will need to reach out to the IRB Administrator to unlock the package if you have forgotten to add a necessary document or need to make any changes.

All Investigators and KSP must sign IRB submissions electronically.  The Chairman of the Department must also sign electronically.  Once you have created the project you must share the submission with all users BEFORE you submit an application or response to the IRB. Once you have obtained all required signatures, click the “Submit this Package”

Biostatistical review nor IRB review will take place if a submission package is incomplete or does not contain all required signatures.

All investigators and KSP must link their CITI account and upload a copy of their CV under the User Profile tab. We have provided instructions for how to link their CITI account.

IRB will hold approval letters until all investigators or key research staff link their CITI and upload a current CV.