Transition to Kuali-IRB
NEW PROJECT BLACKOUT (12/21-1/4): No new projects will be accepted from December 21, 2025 to January 4, 2026. Starting January 5, new projects will be accepted in Kuali-IRB. For more information, see the Transition Timeline.
The IRB is transitioning to a new electronic system called Kuali-IRB in 2026. Learn more below:
- New IRB Submission System: Kuali-IRB
- Transition Timeline
- How to Submit Guides
- Drafting Tools
- IRB Liaison & Faculty Advisor Guides
- Office Hours
- Frequently Asked Questions
New IRB Submission System: Kuali-IRB
Video Introduction to Kuali-IRB (2:10)
Access Kuali-IRB here: https://go.umd.edu/kuali-irb
In 2026, Kuali-IRB replaces IRBNet. The rationale for the transition is that IRBNet does not offer the flexibility UMD investigators require. The new system will be called Kuali-IRB. It is a module of Kuali Build, which is already being used by other entities on campus, such as the inTERP system for disclosures and ORA Gift Forms.
The transition matrix (PDF) shows the timeline for transitioning projects by transaction type.
The Where Do I Submit? Decision Tree (PDF) can assist investigators who need to determine where to submit a new project or their next transaction for an active project.
These step-by-step guides contain instructions on how to submit transition projects from IRBNet and how to submit new projects and amendments etc., in Kuali-IRB.
- Guide to Transitioning IRBNet Projects
- Guide to Submitting a New IRB Protocol (Initial)
- Guide to Submitting an IRB Protocol Amendment
- Guide to Submitting a Reportable Event
These documents are available to help investigators draft protocols collaboratively in Google Docs and prepare documents ahead of submission.
Note that these forms are subject to minor changes. They will be updated with major changes periodically.
DO NOT submit these forms to the IRB in Kuali-IRB OR IRBNet - they must be completed within the Kuali system.
- IRB Protocol: Use this form to draft new projects that will be submitted in Kuali-IRB or to draft submissions of projects transitioning to Kuali-IRB from IRBNet. This is the equivalent of the IRBNet Initial Application (Parts 1 and 2).
- IRB Protocol Amendment: Use this form to draft an amendment to a protocol approved in Kuali-IRB. This is equivalent to the Amendment Application in IRBNet.
- Human Subject Research Determination: Use this form to draft a submission for a project where you are unsure if IRB review is required or require documentation that IRB review is not required. This is equivalent to the Human Subject Research Determination Form in IRBNet.
- Reportable Events*: Use this form to draft reportable event submissions, including adverse events, unanticipated problems, or deviations. This is equivalent to the Adverse Event/Unanticipated Problem Report and the Deviation Report in IRBNet.
- Continuing Review*: Use this form to draft continuing review submissions. This is equivalent to the Continuing Review Application and Full Board Continuing Review Application in IRBNet.
- Closure Report*: Use this form to draft closure report submissions. This is equivalent to the Closure Application in IRBNet.
- Reliance Agreements: Use this form to request a reliance agreement, whether UMD will be the reviewing IRB* or where UMD is the relying IRB. The Reliance Agreements form is the equivalent to the Roles & Responsibilities form submitted via email to relianceagreements@umd.edu.
*In order to submit these forms, the project must have been initially approved in Kuali-IRB or must have successfully transitioned to IRBNet already.
Liaison and Advisor How to Guides
Liaison Resources
- Liaison Review Guide
- Video: Liaison Review + Approval in Kuali-IRB (4:47)
- Scribe: How to Review as a Liaison
Advisor Resources
- January 2026 Office Hours: IRB Staff will host office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays in January to answer functional Kuali-IRB questions and assist with system navigation. To sign up for Kuali-IRB Office Hours, use the link here.
- After January, office hours will take place on Tuesdays only.
The tentative go-live date is January 5th, 2026. At this point any new Initial Applications must be submitted in Kuali-IRB.
If you have an active project (Exempt/Expedited/Full Board) that will continue beyond August 31, 2026 - YES!
Transitioning to Kuali-IRB requires investigators to manually transition each project, as there is no automated process available. Here’s what the process involves:
- Application Form Completion
- Investigators need to fill out the application form in Kuali-IRB.
- The form is similar in structure to the Part 2 Application, allowing those with an updated Part 2 Application to copy and paste certain sections directly.
- Besides copying and pasting, investigators may need to answer multiple-choice or multi-select questions throughout the form.
- Uploading Supporting Documents
- All active supporting documents, such as recruitment materials, consent forms, and survey/interview questions, must be uploaded into Kuali-IRB.
NOTE: Ensure that the submission reflects the most current, approved version of the activities. Additionally, only include activities that will be conducted moving forward. For example, if there are multiple versions of the consent form that are no longer in use, include only the version currently in use and describe the process for obtaining consent using that version.
Project status during the transition will not change. The transition is purely administrative, meaning project activities can continue during the transition. Once the transition is complete, the IRBNet project will close and all subsequent transactions will take place in Kuali-IRB.
NO! Your project will be checked for consistency with the IRBNet project and administratively acknowledged. This will not affect the project’s approval status as it will remain in its approved state during the transition.
- Close eligible projects: If your project is no longer enrolling, collecting data, or working with identifiable research data, you can close the project! Email irb@umd.edu with the IRBNet ID to let us know and we will close it for you.
- Update Part 2: During your next IRBNet transaction before transitioning (if applicable), provide an updated Initial Application Part 2 inclusive of any changes (amendments) you may have made over the course of the project. This will help to ensure a smooth transition for both you and the IRB Office.
- After December 20, 2025, Initial Applications are no longer accepted in IRBNet. New projects will be immediately withdrawn.
- The IRB Office strongly advises researchers to NOT submit Amendments in IRBNet after July 1, 2026. However, the absolute final day you can submit an amendment through IRBNet is 12:00pm (noon) August 31, 2026.
- PLEASE NOTE: Your project must be transitioned out of IRBNet to Kuali-IRB before September 1, 2026.
If not transitioned before September 1, 2026, the IRB Office will consider your project inactive and it will be closed on September 2, 2026. Closed means all human subjects research activities must cease. This includes analysis of identifiable information. IRBNet will then transition into Read-Only mode and the Kuali transition window will close.
YES! Please click here to see the Kuali-IRB Transition Matrix.
- This page will be updated frequently with the most current information.
- All Kuali questions and transition related questions can be directed to irb@umd.edu. Your questions and comments will help improve the IRB submission and review process as we have a level of adaptability and flexibility with this system unlike our previous system.