University of Pittsburgh logo

Section B: Multi-Site Studies — Pitt as IRB of Record (sIRB)

Fee schedule for studies where the University of Pittsburgh serves as the single IRB of Record (sIRB) for multiple relying sites. Fees vary by review type, grant funding date, and number of relying sites.    
 

      HRP-700   |   Version Date: 1/1/2026     

HRP charges a fee for the Initial Review, Modifications, and Continuing Reviews for all sites relying on the Pitt IRB. Fees are based upon:       

  • The type of review — Expedited or Full Board
  • The number of relying sites
  • The grant funding date — prior to or on/after June 1, 2021
  • HRP will honor, or grandfather, the sIRB budget that was provided to the study team at the time of request.
  • There may be circumstances when sIRB fees were not budgeted into the initial grant application. The investigator can request an alteration or waiver of the fee review and, under appropriate circumstances, the fee will be waived or altered.
  • The number of relying sites must not include the Pitt/UPMC site.     
    
 Important: Studies subject to the IRB review fees will not be processed until the fees are paid in full.       
    
Waiver / Alteration       
      

If you are requesting a waiver or alteration of the sIRB fee, a written justification must be provided. Contact the Business Manager at sak168@pitt.edu. Note: sIRB fee waivers are only available under appropriate circumstances and are not guaranteed.       

    
      
        Fees — Grants Funded Prior to June 1, 2021       
      
        
          

            Full Board Review           

          

            Initial Application — Modifications for first year             $1,750           

          

            Onboarding Relying Site(s)             $2,000 × (# sites)           

          

            Continuing Review + Modifications — following year             $2,750           

          

            * Relying site count must not include Pitt/UPMC site.           

        
        
          

            Expedited Review           

          

            Initial Application — Modifications for first year             $1,750           

          

            Onboarding Relying Site(s)             $1,000 × (# sites)           

          

            Continuing Review + Modifications — following year             $2,250           

          

            * Relying site count must not include Pitt/UPMC site.           

        
      
    
    
      
        Fees — Grants Funded On/After June 1, 2021 ★ Current Schedule       
      
This fee structure applies regardless of review type — Full Board or Expedited — and is calculated per relying site. The Pitt/UPMC site is excluded from all site counts.         
        

          Onboarding Relying Site(s)           $2,100 × (# sites)         

        

          Modification that affects the entire study           $400 × (# onboarded sites)         

        

          Continuing Review           $250 × (# sites at CR)         

        

          * Number of relying sites must not include Pitt/UPMC site.         

        
          

            Example Calculation:           

          

            A study with 5 relying sites funded post-June 1, 2021 would incur:             Onboarding = 5 × $2,100 = $10,500.             Each subsequent continuing review = 5 × $250 = $1,250.             A study-wide modification = 5 × $400 = $2,000.