Research involving human stem cell lines must conform to the institutional guidance document: Stem Cell Research. Proposals involving totipotent or pluripotent stem cells must be reviewed by the Stem Cell Research Oversight Committee (SCRO), which will advise the Vice President for Research Affairs, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and/or the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) with recommendations regarding the acceptability of the research.
During the approval process for sponsored research proposals (e.g. grant applications or contracts), the PI will provide an additional copy of the proposal for SCRO committee review and a record of the provenance of stem cells to be used. Permission to use the cells in research must be obtained from the provider and appended to the proposal.
For new proposals, final approval must be obtained by the IRB or IACUC before the award is made and the PI spends any funds.
For non-competing/competing continuations or renewals, approval must be documented when the proposal is submitted.