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No hidden fees. No additional costs. No surprises. Ever.
| Feature | Elemental IRB | Typical commercial IRBs |
|---|---|---|
| Base review fee | $750 exempt determination / $1,500 expedited / $4,000 full board (published) | Several thousand, custom quoted (typical) |
| Per-investigator fee | $0 — included | Often billed per PI (typical) |
| Per-consent / ICF fee | $0 — included | Often billed per consent form (typical) |
| Minor amendments | $0 — unlimited, included | Frequently billed per amendment (typical) |
| Major amendments | $500 flat ($250 for exempt determinations) | Variable, often higher (typical) |
| Continuing review | $0 — included | Billed annually (typical) |
| Expedite surcharge | $0 — none | Sometimes charged for rush (typical) |
IRB review costs at Elemental IRB are published openly with no quote request required. An exempt determination is $750 (3 business days), expedited review is $1,500 (3-5 business days), full board review is $4,000 (5-10 business days), and multi-site studies are custom quoted (7-10 business days). Every review fee includes continuing review and unlimited minor amendments.
Unlike commercial IRBs that nickel-and-dime, our IRB fees include initial review, continuing review, unlimited minor amendments, IRB-stamped consent documents, and full portal access. Exempt determinations include review against all 45 CFR 46.104(d) categories, a signed determination letter, and free minor changes. The only add-on is a flat $500 major amendment fee on reviewed studies ($250 for major changes to an exempt determination). No per-investigator fees, no per-consent fees, no expedite surcharges, and no surprise IRB costs.
Many large commercial IRBs advertise a low base fee, then stack on per-investigator fees, per-consent-form fees, continuing review fees, and expedite surcharges that multiply your total IRB costs. Elemental IRB charges one flat rate per review type, so your IRB fees are predictable from day one.
Elemental IRB pricing is 50-80% less than typical large commercial IRB costs, with comparable or faster turnaround times and the same regulatory rigor. Predictable, transparent IRB fees make budgeting simple.
Some human subjects research qualifies for exemption from IRB review under the Common Rule (45 CFR 46.104) — for example surveys, interviews, educational tests, benign behavioral interventions, and secondary research on existing data. Elemental IRB issues an independent, written exempt determination for $750 flat in 3 business days, citing the applicable exemption category. Minor changes are free; major changes are $250.
At Elemental IRB, an exempt determination is $750 (3 business days), expedited review is $1,500 (3-5 business days), and full board review is $4,000 (5-10 business days). Multi-site studies are custom quoted. There are no hidden IRB fees.
Commercial IRB costs vary widely and are usually custom-quoted. Many large IRBs charge several thousand dollars per submission, plus per-investigator, per-consent, amendment, and continuing review fees. Elemental IRB publishes a single flat rate instead.
No. Elemental IRB fees include initial review, continuing review, unlimited minor amendments, and portal access. The only add-on is a flat $500 major amendment fee on reviewed studies (major changes to an exempt determination are $250).
A full board IRB review is $4,000 and is completed in 5-10 business days, including continuing review and unlimited minor amendments.
Yes. Expedited IRB review is $1,500 for minimal-risk studies and completes in 3-5 business days, compared with $4,000 for full board review.