UW-Madison has experience working with various external IRBs. Depending on the nature of your study and sponsor, more than one type of external IRB may be appropriate for your study. RELIANT can assist you in identifying the best external IRB option for the study. External IRB options include:

• Commercial IRBs – Contracted: UW-Madison has contracted with the two largest commercial IRBs – Advarra and WCG. Studies funded by industry sponsors will typically be reviewed by either of these IRBs.
• Commercial IRBs – Not Contracted: UW-Madison can cede IRB review to qualified commercial IRBs with which it is not contracted. These decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and require a separate reliance agreement.
• National Cancer Institute Central IRB (NCI CIRB): Studies sponsored by the NCI are reviewed by the NCI CIRB.
• Academic Institutions: UW-Madison cedes IRB review to other academic institutions, with an accredited or similarly robust Human Research Protection Program (HRPP).
• Other institutions: UW-Madison may cede IRB review to other institutions such as community hospitals (e.g., UPH Meriter) or healthcare systems (e.g., Advocate Aurora Healthcare), if they have an accredited or similarly robust Human Research Protection Program (HRPP).