HRPP Newsletter — Fall 2026

News, resources, and reminders for the Purdue University human research community.

Welcome to the first Purdue HRPP newsletter! Whether you are new to Purdue or returning for another academic year, this newsletter will keep you informed about important updates, practical resources, and reminders for conducting human research. Our goal is to make the review process easier to understand so you can plan, prepare strong submissions, keep approved studies on track, and protect research participants.

Cayuse to PERA Transition

Many investigators have studies in Cayuse that still need to be fully migrated to PERA. Although documents and many study data elements were migrated last fall, the study protocol details were not. Before submitting your first modification that changes study procedures, please submit a separate modification in PERA to complete the migration. Two guides in the PERA IRB Help Center explain how to transfer your study details into the protocol template. We recognize the additional time this step requires and will continue to support you throughout the transition. Studies and associated documents, including approval letters, may still be accessed in Cayuse IRB until March 31, 2029.

Exempt Modification Reminder

As announced in fall 2024, the HRPP does not need to review certain changes to exempt studies. Investigators may make personnel changes, revise materials, and make other qualifying changes without prior review. Visit our Resources and Guidance page for details and examples.

Study Team Modifications

Did you know, only Key Personnel on non-exempt studies must be formally added to the study in PERA IRB? Key Personnel are researchers who contribute in a substantive way to the scientific or scholarly development, execution, or interpretation of a project. See HRP-103 – Investigator Manual, “Who is considered Study Personnel for purposes of IRB submission?” for more information and responsibilities of the PI and Key Personnel when Non-Key Personnel are working on the study.

Open Office Hours

Virtual walk-in hours are back. Each Protocol Analyst offers open office hours in Teams on different days and times. Check the HRPP Staff Directory for individual availability. You may still request a meeting outside these hours, but if you have a quick question, please drop in.

Prefer to meet in person? The IRB Chairs continue to hold office hours on the fourth floor of Wang Hall. View the current schedule for dates and times.

AAHRPP Reaccreditation

Our HRPP team is preparing Purdue’s Step 1 application for AAHRPP reaccreditation, a detailed process that includes reviewing our policies, procedures, and practices to confirm that they continue to meet AAHRPP’s high standards for protecting research participants. Since first earning full AAHRPP accreditation in 2019, we have remained committed to continuous improvement and strong support for Purdue’s human research community. We look forward to sharing additional updates as we complete this important milestone.

Amazon Mechanical Turk Update

MTurk will no longer be available after September 30. Investigators with exempt studies that currently use MTurk may switch to Prolific without submitting a study modification when the only change is the recruitment platform. A modification is needed if the transition changes study procedures, the participant population, consent, compensation, or data collection. Contact the HRPP office if you are unsure whether review is required.

PERA Feedback

The PERA IRB module went live for study submissions on October 27, 2025. As we approach its first anniversary, we want to hear about investigators’ experiences with the system and rollout. We are developing a short feedback survey, which will be shared in the coming months.

Resources

Our website has recently been updated to make information easier to find and use. The pages covering clinical trials, external collaborations, and resources and guidance now include substantial improvements. We also made smaller updates throughout the site and will continue expanding it to help the research community navigate the IRB process.

• Volume and Metrics — Review submission volume and processing information to help establish a reasonable timeline for study review.
• HRPP Toolkit — Access protocol and consent templates, the Investigator Manual, and other materials used by investigators, HRPP staff, and IRB members to prepare, review, and oversee human research.
• Resources and Guidance — Find topic-based information to help draft study materials and respond to requests for clarification.
• PERA FAQs — Find answers to frequently asked questions about using PERA IRB and converting studies from Cayuse to PERA.

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Our contact information and how to schedule a meeting or get assistance may be found on our Get Help page.