VA research is defined as research conducted by VA investigators (serving on VA compensated, WOC, or IPA appointments) while on VA time or on VA property. The R&D committee may grant permission for some non-VA studies — i.e., those that do not fall under the above criteria — to conduct the following limited activities involving the VA:

• Recruitment of Veterans to a study not focused on Veteran health
• Conduct of administrative or sample processing activities at the VA (e.g. use of office or lab space under UW-Madison appointment) that do not involve interaction or intervention with study subjects

Any of the above activities must first be approved by the VA R&D committee, but studies limited to these activities at or with the VA are NOT considered VA human subjects research and will not be subject to continued VA oversight beyond the initial approval.

Please see new guidance in the Investigator Manual for details.