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Office of Research

Frequently Asked Questions

  • General

    • What would the new eRA system be named?
      myUABResearch will be the name of the new system.
    • What system will replace IRAP?
      Huron Research Suite (HRS) has been selected as the replacement for IRAP.
    • What changes should I expect to see in the new eRA system?
      • Role based user dashboards which provide ease of use and transparency.
      • Enhanced reporting capabilities at the project, department, and school level.
      • Smart form technology which provides electronic submission to research offices.
      • Direct System-to-System (S2S) submission to grants.gov agencies such as NIH and CDC.
      • Automated system alerts informing researchers when important due dates are approaching.
    • Would the implementation have a big bang approach or phased approach?
      The current approach is to implement HRS in three phases:
      Phase 1:
      Grants (S2S), Agreements and Conflict of Interest
      Phase 2:
      IRB and Export Control
      Phase 3:
      IACUC and Vivarium Operations
    • Will the new system (myUABResearch) require more work for PIs?
      No. The new system will consolidate things like disclosures and external activities into one place. The new system will capture information via smartforms instead of submission of multiple PDFs and other required documents to an email inbox. Also, all approvals will be captured through electronic routing within the system.
    • Does the system allow for multiple project personnel to have edit and view access?
      Yes. Huron allows for proxy access for multiple roles.
    • What other prominent R1 institutions use HRS?
      Some HRS clients with academic medical centers are listed below...
      • Emory University
      • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
      • New York University
      • Ohio State University
      • University of California
      • University of Florida
      • University of Minnesota
      • University of Pittsburgh
      • University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
      • University of Washington
      • University of Wisconsin - Madison
      • Vanderbilt University
      Other notable HRS clients...
      • Auburn University
      • Boston University
      • Carnegie Mellon University
      • Case Western Reserve University
      • Children's Hospital of Philadelphia/li>
      • Florida State University
      • Johns Hopkins University
      • Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
      • Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
      • Michigan State University
      • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
      • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
      • Northwestern University
      • Penn State University
      • Princeton University
      • RAND Corporation
      • Rockefeller University
      • Rutgers University
      • Sanford Health
      • Texas A&M University
      • University of Chicago
      • University of Cincinnati
      • University of Georgia
      • University of Houston
      • University of Kansas
      • University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine
      • University of Miami
      • University of New Mexico
      • University of Southern California - CHLA
      • University of Tennessee
      • University of Texas - Austin
      • University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
      • University of Utah
      • University of Vermont
      • Wake Forest University
    • How can I be involved in testing?
      You should reach out to Amanda Capps, the eRA project manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
    • Who should we reach out to if we have any further questions?
      You should reach out to Amanda Capps, the eRA project manager, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We also offer monthly myUABResearch Office Hours if you prefer to bring your questions there.

       

      myUABResearch Office Hours
      Second Wednesday Every Month
      11am-12pm
      Add to Calendar

  • OSP

  • COI

    Coming soon...

  • IRB

    • Will I still be able to submit other items (e.g., OSP and RCOI) in myUABResearch during the IRB submission freeze period?
      Yes. Only the IRB module in IRAP will be unavailable during the August 10-20 submission freeze period. The myUABResearch system and other modules in IRAP will continue to operate as usual.
    • Do IRB review activities continue for submissions made in IRAP before August 10?
      Yes, the HRPP will continue to process submissions made in IRAP before August 10th. After those submissions enter an approved state, they will be transitioned into myUABResearch during the Wave 2 data migration.
    • Are there any exceptions to the moratorium on submissions during the submission freeze period?
      Yes, the HRPP has made allowances for emergency use and Just-in-Time requests, as well as reportable events that require immediate reporting, as noted below. Unfortunately, other types of requests cannot be accommodated during the submission freeze period.
    • What are the timeline implications for IRB submissions submitted before August 10?
      The HRPP will work diligently with investigators to get as many submissions as possible into an approved state before the August 24th go-live for the new system. Approval times will be dependent on a number of factors including volume, submission quality, and response times from the research team.
    • Will IRB review activities continue during the submission freeze period?
      Yes, the HRPP will work diligently to get as many submissions as possible to an approved state for migration into the new system. HRPP administrative determinations, expedited IRB review, and convened IRB meetings will continue during the submission freeze period for submissions made prior to August 10th.
    • What if I have an emergency use during the submission freeze period during which neither system is available?

      If need for an emergency use arises during the submission freeze period, you should submit the requested information described on the HRPP website at Emergency Use of FDA-Regulated Test Articles as follows:

      1. Send via e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line of “Emergency Use Request.”
      2. Include all of the requested information for the use case of your situation as indicated in the above website such as the following:
        1. Letter of explanation which specifies justification for administration of the test article
        2. Informed consent document
        3. Any additional information from the manufacturer regarding use of the test article
        4. Other information as noted in the website linked above as applicable

      If you do not receive confirmation of receipt from the HRPP within one business day, please contact the HRPP at 205-934-3789.

      What is in the best interests of the patient is of utmost importance. If you have any concerns about this process having an adverse effect on patient treatment, contact the HRPP at 205-934-3789.

      Please note that you will be expected to upload the submission into the new myUABResearch IRB module upon launch.

    • What if I have a Just-in-Time request during the submission freeze period during which neither system is available?

      If you have a Just-in-Time request from a federal sponsor during the submission freeze period, assemble all required documents for the IRB review, including but not limited to the following:

      1. Study protocol
      2. Consent and assent forms, as applicable
      3. Recruitment materials (scripts, flyers, etc.)
      4. Data collection instruments (surveys, etc.)

      Submit the compiled submission packet to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the subject line “Just-in-Time request” and include the OSP assigned number in the body of your e-mail.

      If you do not receive confirmation of receipt from the HRPP within one business day, please contact the HRPP at 205-934-3789.

      Please note that you will be expected to upload the submission into the new myUABResearch IRB module upon launch.

    • What if I have a reportable event that requires immediate reporting?
      Problem reports will be available in IRAP during the submission freeze period.
    • What if I have a tight timeline for my project? Can I submit during the submission freeze period?
      Unfortunately, exceptions for HRPP submissions during the submission freeze period other than those for emergency use and Just-in-Time cannot be accommodated. Please plan ahead for submission far enough in advance of the submission freeze period to accommodate review and approval of your project.
    • What if I have an issue that affects the safety of research participants?
      Investigators must conduct research activities in accordance with the terms of the IRB approval except when necessary to eliminate apparent immediate hazards to the subject (45 CFR 46.108(3)(iii). If a change must be made in real time to avoid harm to a participant, that is allowable. However, an investigator may not make planned changes to the approved protocol without IRB approval. Protocol amendments must be submitted and approved prior to the submission freeze period if changes will be needed. Please plan accordingly.
    • Under what circumstances might I work in both IRAP and myUABResearch during the interim period of August 24 to Wave 2 data migration in October 2026?
      Fully approved protocols (including all modifications, continuing reviews, etc.) will automatically migrate to the new system during each of the two waves of data migration on August 20th and a date to be determined in October 2026. If an investigator has protocols in different statuses over this period of time, they will need to work in myUABResearch for converted protocols and continue working in IRAP for protocols that have not yet been converted.
    • Where can I get additional information about the myUABResearch IRB module?
      Additional information about the myUABResearch IRB module can be found at https://www.uab.edu/research/home/myuabresearch/irb. This website includes information about the system implementation timeline, as well as training offerings so that you are ready to fully utilize the new system on day one.
    • How will the IRB application in myUABResearch differ from IRAP?
      The IRB module in myUABResearch uses a simplified application compared to IRAP. Much of the detailed, study-specific information previously entered directly into the IRAP ePortfolio will instead be documented in the research protocol document and other uploaded documents.
    • Will the IRAP ePortfolio be migrated into myUABResearch?
      No. The IRAP ePortfolio itself will not be imported into the myUABResearch IRB module. Only basic study information for approved study records will appear in myUABResearch. Investigators should not rely on the IRAP ePortfolio as the primary source of study documentation after conversion.
    • What if I have an urgent situation during the submission freeze period that’s not described above?
      Please contact a member of the HRPP staff at 205-934-3789, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or the contact information available at https://www.uab.edu/research/home/oirb-staff. We appreciate your patience during the system implementation as this will be a busy time for HRPP staff.