Committee for Protection of Human Subjects

The Committee for Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS) is comprised of two groups (CPHS-1 and CPHS-2) that serve as Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) for the University of California, Berkeley. All institutions engaged in human subjects research that is supported by federal funds must have in place a Federalwide Assurance, a written assurance to the DHHS Office for Human Research Protections that the institution will comply with federal regulations and policies for the protection of human subjects. This assurance requires that the institution establish an Institutional Review Board (IRB).

The primary mission of the IRB is to ensure the protection of the rights and welfare of all human participants in research conducted by university faculty, staff and students. The IRB review process is guided by federal and state regulations, university policy, and the Belmont Report. IRB members include faculty, staff and community members, scientists and non-scientists, who, in the aggregate, possess a broad range of interests and expertise that correspond with the areas of research reviewed.

Office for the Protection of Human Subjects

The Office for the Protection of Human Subjects (OPHS) is the administrative office that supports the Committee for Protection of Human Subjects by coordinating the review of research, keeping abreast of the changing policies, rules and regulations, and working with CPHS and researchers to address research protocol and compliance issues. OPHS also provides education and outreach to UC Berkeley investigators and functions as a liaison to other campus units such as the Sponsored Projects Office and the Office of Environment Health & Safety.