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The role of the Research and Development (R&D) Committee is to review the scientific merit and oversee the administration of all research taking place at the VA Houston. Following R&D

Committee review and approval, an approval notice is sent to the principal investigator from the Associate Chief of Staff for Research (ACOS/R). Work may only begin on a project following

the receipt of the ACOS/R approval notice sent by the R&D Committee Coordinator and signed by the R&D Committee Chair. 

All studies involving human subjects or the use of identified human samples or data must be approved by one of two IRBs- BCM IRB or VA Central IRB. The VA Central IRB reviews select

multi-site projects funded by the VA Office of Research and Development such as Cooperative studies and Merit Awards. 

NOTE: Exceptions for studies funded by other sources are made on a case by case basis. 

All other studies are reviewed by the BCM IRB. No individual, including investigators, officials of VA Houston, or representatives from a sponsor or Contract Research Organization may

overrule the decisions of the reviewing IRB.

Submit IRB protocols through BCM’s Biomedical and Assurance Information Network (BRAIN) system. 

As a subcommittee of the R&D Committee, any project that involves the use of laboratory animals in research or training must have BCM IACUC approval. 

NOTE: If the project is a VA funded study, the Animal Component of Research Protocol (ACORP) is required as part of the IACUC submission.

Submit IACUC protocols through BCM’s Biomedical and Assurance Information Network (BRAIN) system.

As a subcommittee of the R&D Committee, the SRS is responsible for reviewing and overseeing the biosafety of all research activities involving biological, chemical, physical, and radiation

hazards for compliance with all applicable regulations, policies, and guidelines. This also includes a review of all laboratory-based research activities (either funded or non-funded) that

will be conducted at the VA Houston or conducted off-site by VA personnel with VA funding. 

NOTE: The SRS is also responsible for also routing projects to VA Houston’s Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) and BCM’s Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) when applicable.

Submit SRS protocols through the VAHAR form within the eVACS Form.

If you have any questions, contact SRS Coordinator. For additional information, see the Laboratory and Research Safety page.  

Although the RSC is not a subcommittee of the R&D Committee, it plays a vital role in providing the necessary expertise concerning radiation safety. Therefore, Radiation Safety Committee

approval, if applicable, is required before the release of the SRS approval notification.

The SRS will route protocols to VA Houston’s Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) whenever a protocol uses radioactive materials or sources of ionizing radiation, multiple X-rays, CT scan or

other radiological procedures.

Submit RSC protocols through the VARAD form within the eVACS Form.

The BCM IBC, as a subcommittee of the R&D Committee, must review any project that involves the use of recombinant DNA.

This is in addition to the review and approval by VA Houston’s SRS. 

NOTE: The BCM IBC will provide results of the review and approval to the SRS. 

Submit IBC protocols through BCM’s Biomedical and Assurance Information Network (BRAIN) system. 

Although the VA C-IRB is not a subcommittee of the R&D Committee, it plays a vital role in providing the necessary expertise concerning radiation safety. The VA Central IRB reviews select

multi-site projects funded by the VA Office of Research and Development such as Cooperative studies and Merit Awards. 

Submit C-IRB protocols through the VA Central Office SharePoint. A VA C-IRB staff will contact the PI directly for access and information if applicable.  

All research personnel (VA-paid and WOC; RSL, IQuESt, or any other service line) should submit a copy of completion certificates to the RSL Training Coordinator or RSL Training email group.

The trainings listed below are required of all research personnel (VA-paid and WOC) engaging in VA research at VA Houston. The courses are offered through the VA Talent Management System

(TMS). Follow the instructions provided to self-register. Information needed:

The project- and participation-specific training required of all research personnel (VA-paid and WOC) engaging in VA research at VA Houston is listed below.  The courses are offered through

the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI). 

If you already have an account with CITI, please affiliate with the VA (“VA Houston, TX-580”); you can have multiple affiliations in CITI. 

Note: Lapses in these trainings are monitored by the medical center director.

Contact the Research Compliance Officers, Jeff Young and Pam Maseda, to schedule.