Application Process

The Northern California Nursing Research Program and Northern California Institutional Review Board (IRB) work collaboratively to protect the safety, welfare, and rights of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan members and others who volunteer to participate in research under the sponsorship of KP.

1. A researcher cannot determine if a project qualifies as exempt. Only the IRB can determine if a project is exempt from full IRB review. For additional information click here.
   
   
2. For projects that involve collaboration with external researchers, entities, and sponsors click here.
   
   
3. ALL project applications must be reviewed by the IRB.
   
   
4. KP Northern California has two IRB's: 1) Biomedical, and 2) Health Services. Each KPNC IRB has over 12 members jointly appointed by the president of the region and the executive director of TPMG, or their designees. Nursing applications are reviewed by the Health Services IRB.
   
   
5. Two basic trainings must be completed before submitting an IRB Application:
   • Privacy Rule Training for KP Researchers
   • Human Research Participant Protection Training
   • KPNC Research Training and Education Attestation Form and Training Documentation
     
     
6. For ALL projects that involve KP members and/or KP employees, please consult with nurse scientist, Dr. Gretchen Summer at Gretchen.J.Summer@kp.org as soon as possible. Dr. Summer a cts as primary liaison between Northern California 's Department of Patient Care Services and IRB staff to support all nursing and nursing student projects.
   
   
7. The research application submission deadline date is 5:00 PM on the 20 th of the month. If the 20 th falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is 5:00 PM on the preceding Friday. Research applications received by the deadline will be reviewed for placement on the following month's IRB agenda.
   
   
8. The KPNC IRB prefers to receive documents electronically whenever possible. Please submit the research application and all supporting documents via e-mail to KPNC.IRB@kp.org. If using a delivery service or mail, the address is KFRI, Attention: IRB, 1800 Harrison St. , 16 th Floor, Oakland , CA 94612 . Documents can be faxed to the KPNC IRB at (510) 625-2432 or tieline 8/428-2432.
   
   
9. Submit a Modification Request to make changes and/or additions to previously approved and active IRB applications. For additional information, click here.

For questions or help with your application:

Dr. Gretchen J Summer
Associate Director, Nursing Research Program
Phone: (510) 987-3639
Tieline: 8-427-3639
Gretchen.J.Summer@kp.org

Diane Wills-Garner
Senior Staff Assistant
Phone: (510) 987-3631
Tieline: 8-427-3631
Diane.Wills-Garner@kp.org

Additional assistance is available:

• Speak with someone who has successfully completed an application
  
• Contact a member of the Nursing Research Committee
• KPNC Research Support