Crucial Zot! IRB Update: Major System Changes and Downtime Ahead

Attention, UCI Research Community! Mark your calendars, as a pivotal upgrade to the Zot! IRB system is on the horizon, promising to streamline your research protocol submissions and enhance compliance. These significant changes are designed to optimize the Human Research Protection (HRP) process, particularly in alignment with the revised Common Rule.

To facilitate these crucial improvements, the Zot! IRB system will experience a temporary but essential downtime.

Please note: Zot! IRB will be completely unavailable from 5:00 PM on Friday, May 27th, until 8:00 AM on Tuesday, May 31st, 2022. This period of unavailability is critical for the implementation of new Zot! IRB module functionalities and system enhancements.

What does this mean for your research during downtime?

• No new Zot! IRB submissions can be initiated or submitted.
• Existing submissions, including modifications, continuing reviews, and new studies, cannot be processed.
• All Zot! IRB functionalities will be inaccessible.

We urge all researchers to plan their activities accordingly.

If you have urgent submissions or modifications, ensure they are completed and submitted well in advance of the May 27th deadline.

Exciting Changes Coming Your Way (Effective May 31st, 2022):

Once the system is back online, you'll discover a more refined and intuitive Zot! IRB experience, featuring several key updates:

1.

Differentiated Application Forms for Common Rule Alignment:

• For Studies Under the Revised Common Rule: If your study was submitted to Zot! IRB on or after January 21, 2019, you will now utilize a brand-new "IRB Application" form. This applies to new studies, modifications, and continuing reviews.

  This update ensures full compliance and efficiency with the latest regulations.

• For Studies Under the Pre-2018 Common Rule: For studies submitted before January 21, 2019, you will continue to use the familiar "Human Research Protocol" form. This maintains consistency for ongoing projects under previous guidelines.

2.

Streamlined Study Team Member Management:

Say goodbye to tedious individual updates! The "Study Team Member" section is being significantly improved, allowing for effortless bulk deletion and addition of team members. This enhancement promises to save you valuable time and reduce administrative burden.

3.

Enhanced Conflict of Interest (COI) Process:

The COI question, previously embedded within Zot! IRB, is moving to a dedicated, separate form. A convenient link within Zot! IRB will direct you to this form, which will be submitted directly to the COI staff. This change centralizes and clarifies the COI disclosure process.

We strongly encourage all researchers to review the updated UCI COI disclosure process to ensure full understanding and compliance.

4. New Withdrawal Option for Exempt Applications:

Have you ever started an exempt application, only to realize later that your study isn't quite exempt before submission? Good news! A new option will allow researchers to withdraw exempt applications at this stage, preventing unnecessary processing and streamlining your workflow.

5.

COVID-19 Consent Language Update:

Stay informed about the latest guidance! The system will reflect updates regarding the removal of previously required COVID-19 consent language, adapting to evolving public health directives.

Your Action Items to Ensure a Smooth Transition:

• Prioritize Urgent Submissions: Complete and submit any time-sensitive Zot! IRB materials before 5:00 PM on May 27th.
• Plan Ahead: Adjust your research timelines to account for the system downtime.
• Stay Tuned for Guidance: The Human Research Protection (HRP) staff will be releasing comprehensive guidance documents and training resources to help you navigate these new processes effortlessly.

  Keep an eye on official UCI research communications for these valuable tools.

These enhancements represent UCI's commitment to supporting your vital research while maintaining the highest standards of ethical review and compliance. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this transition period and look forward to a more efficient Zot! IRB system!