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AAHRPP Reaccreditation

Why get accredited by AAHRPP?

The Association for Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) is considered the gold standard in ethical human research.  The primary purpose of AAHRPP accreditation is to strengthen protections for human subjects research.  Achieving accreditation demonstrates a steadfast dedication to participant safety.

AAHRPP uses a voluntary, peer-driven and educational model to ensure that a Human Research Protections Program (HRPP) meets rigorous standards for quality and protection. The goals of accreditation are to improve the systems that protect the rights and welfare of individuals who participate in research, and to communicate to the public the strength of an organization’s commitment to the protection of human research participants.  Earning accreditation means MUSC meets the AAHRPP rigorous accreditation standards, which go beyond the federal regulations.

What are the benefits of being an AAHRPP accredited organization?

  • AAHRPP accreditation is becoming the norm for quality research programs. 
  • AAHRPP accreditation instills trust among research partners.
  • Sponsors and funders recognize that AAHRPP-accredited organizations have more efficient operations, provide more comprehensive protections, and produce high-quality data.
  • AAHRPP accreditation signifies that an organization has built the necessary infrastructure for quality human research protection program.  These organizations tend to have more streamlined, effective policies and procedures, keep better records, and are more likely to avoid costly shutdowns and problematic inspections.
  • Regulatory agencies are more likely to target non-accredited organizations for inspections.
  • AAHRPP accredited organizations share innovative practices and collect data to help establish benchmarks and assess quality improvement.

MUSC Human Research Protection Program

 

Although the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is a major component in the protection of research participants, it is important to remember that it is the University’s Human Research Protection Program (or HRPP) that will undergo review and accreditation. The HRPP is not an office, but rather the collective effort by all of the components that participate in the conduct, review, approval, education, quality improvement, and facilitation of human research at MUSC to ensure that MUSC complies with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations and requirements and fosters a culture of ethical research.

MUSC has maintained continuous AAHRPP accreditation since its initial accreditation in September 2009, with successful reaccreditations in 2012, 2017, and 2022. The institution will submit its 2026 reaccreditation application in September 2026, followed by AAHRPP site visits in spring 2027. Final review by the AAHRPP Council on Accreditation is anticipated in September 2027.

Re-Accreditation Timeline

 Step 1 - Application  Application due 9/15/2026
 Step 2 - Response Step 2 due by 2/3/2027 

 Step 3 - AAHRPP Site Visit

**Site visit Range: 3/29/27-5/1/27

  AAHRPP site visitors will select interviewees based on the protocol list and key HRPP personnel identified in the accreditation application. The interview pool will be designed to represent the organization's diverse research portfolio, including investigators with varying levels of experience, study volume, research types, and risk profiles. In addition to investigators, AAHRPP will interview study coordinators, co-investigators, other study team members, IRB members, HRPP leadership, and HRPP office staff to assess the effectiveness of the Human Research Protection Program
 Step 4 - Council Review  September 2027

AAHRPP Education Resources

Contact us

Please contact the HRPP if you have any AAHRPP related questions. 

Erin Dawley
IRB Quality Assurance Manager
843-792-1474
hintone@musc.edu