UGA’s Human Research Protection Program Earns Reaccreditation

The University of Georgia’s Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) has received reaccreditation from the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP). This reaccreditation is a significant milestone for the university, reflecting its commitment to ensuring the safety and protection of individuals participating in research.

UGA first achieved AAHRPP accreditation in 2018. The recent reaccreditation arrives as the university introduces a new School of Medicine and School of Nursing. According to Chris King, interim vice president for research, this designation underscores the hard work of the HRPP Office and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) amid persistent challenges, particularly those arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In its accreditation report, AAHRPP highlighted the high level of expertise among IRB leaders, attributing this to the HRPP Office’s robust educational and training programs for human research. The report also commended IRB members for their in-depth knowledge of the communities impacted by UGA’s research initiatives.

“Three staff members were dedicated to the development and implementation of educational offerings for researchers and research staff,” stated the AAHRPP report. It noted that these staff members also worked on initiatives aimed at fostering community engagement and building trust within the community.

This reaccreditation follows an AAHRPP site visit conducted in fall 2025. The visit involved contributions from the HRPP Office, IRB members, ethics committee members, and other faculty and staff engaged in human research activities. Kim Fowler, director of the HRPP Office, expressed gratitude to all faculty and research staff who participated in virtual interviews during the site visit, stating, “It is clear from the AAHRPP site visit report that these interviews were key to understanding UGA’s research enterprise and the dedication to quality human research that serves our communities.”

To achieve AAHRPP accreditation, organizations must demonstrate that they have implemented comprehensive safeguards across all levels of their research operations and comply with high research standards. Organizations undergo evaluations for reaccreditation three years after their initial accreditation and every five years thereafter.

For further information about UGA’s Human Research Protection Program, please visit the program’s official website.