University employees, fellows and students may participate in any study for which they are eligible. However, in order to prevent any coercion (or perception of coercion) or undue pressure to participate, Investigators should not specifically recruit individuals who work directly or indirectly for them, nor should they recruit fellows or students who work with or for them, or for whom they have any educational oversight.

Participation in a research study may never be a condition of employment, insurance, grades, promotion, or any other benefits or bonuses. The CHS is particularly mindful of situations that may put undue pressure on employees, fellows or students to participate in research projects, and thus recommends that Investigators refrain from directly soliciting participants from these populations. Instead, all recruitment should take place via public forums, such as bulletin boards and school notices where those interested in participating may contact the Investigator.

The Faculty Council of the Harvard Faculty of Medicine in 1986 set forth the Rules Governing the Participation of Medical Students as Experimental Subjects in Research Studies which apply to research projects specifically recruiting (or conducted with) Faculty of Medicine students in biomedical research.

Curriculum Studies and Studies Specifically Recruiting Students

Harvard Medical School

Research involving HMS curriculum or specifically recruiting/targeting HMS students must be reviewed and approved by the HMS Office of Educational Development’s (OED) Research Review Committee (RRC). OED will perform its own review of the research to make sure it is in keeping with the values and direction of the University and the curriculum, where appropriate. When OED has approved the study, the CHS application, study materials and OED approval letter will be forwarded to the Dean for Medical Education (or the Dean of Students, if the project does not involve curriculum) for further approval and signature on the CHS application. The Dean for Medical Education’s (or Dean of Students) office will forward the CHS application and all related materials (including the OED RRC approval letter) to the CHS office for its review. No curriculum study or study specifically recruiting or targeting students at HMS can take place without all three (OED, Dean for Medical Education/Dean of Students, and CHS) approvals.

 

Harvard School of Dental Medicine

Research involving HSDM curriculum or specifically recruiting/targeting HSDM students must be reviewed and approved by the HSDM Office of Dental Education (ODE) and HSDM Office of Research. The ODE will perform its own review of the research to make sure it is in keeping with the values and direction of the University and the curriculum, where appropriate. When the ODE has approved the study, the CHS application and all study materials will be forwarded to the HSDM Dean for Research for further approval and signature on the CHS application. The HSDM Dean for Research will forward the CHS application and all related materials back to the Investigator, who will then be required to submit all materials and approvals to the CHS for its review and approval. No curriculum study or study specifically involving students at HSDM can take place without all three (ODE, Dean for Research, and CHS) approvals.

Biomedical Studies Specifically Recruiting Students

Rules Governing the Participation of Medical Students as Experimental Subjects in Research Studies

Updated: 22-Oct-2009