AFRLI40-402 — Protection Of Human Subjects In Research

AFRLI40-402 governs AFRL-conducted and -supported research activities involving humans, human data, human biospecimens, or FDA-regulated activities.

Search AFRLI40-402

  • Publication number: AFRLI40-402
  • Title: PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS IN RESEARCH
  • Date: 2025-03-11

View AFRLI40-402 on armypubs.army.mil


It establishes the AFRL Human Research Protection Program and addresses review, oversight, informed consent, privacy, reporting, and research misconduct. It requires ethical conduct, applicable approvals, prompt reporting of adverse events, and protections for human subjects and research data.

Applies to: This instruction covers all AFRL-conducted or -supported research activities, including tests and evaluation, that involve humans, human data, human biospecimens, or activities regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Topics covered

  • Human research review
  • Human subjects protections
  • Adverse event reporting
  • Informed consent
  • Research data privacy
  • Research misconduct
  • Genetic research
  • Conflicts of interest

Questions and answers

What research must AFRL conduct or support under ethical requirements?

AFRL will only conduct or support research which is ethical and conducted IAW applicable Federal, DoD, and DAF HRPP requirements. (paragraph 2)

How quickly must investigators report a UPIRTSO to the AFRL IRB?

Investigators will report UPIRTSOs to the AFRL IRB as soon as possible but in no event shall notification be later than five days from the time of initial recognition. (paragraph 1-1)

What approval is required for research recruitment materials?

All recruitment procedures and materials (e.g., ads, flyers, email, briefings, telephone scripts, etc.) must be reviewed and approved by the IRB.

How must AFRL protect research-related private information?

PII gathered during a research protocol will be kept confidential and only shared with those individuals who have a “need to know” for oversight purposes or as documented in the IRB approved protocol.

What must be submitted when potential noncompliance is alleged?

Submit to the AFRL IRB office any allegations of potential noncompliance in human research overseen by the AFRL IRB or conducted by AFRL personnel. (paragraph 1-2)

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