COVID-19 Guidance for Human Subjects Research
Note: As of January 1, 2023, this page is available for historical reference as no UC Berkeley-specific requirements relating to research and COVID-19 are in place at this time. However, researchers are encouraged to use good judgment and follow local guidelines regarding general health and safety requirements, whenever applicable.
This page provides UC Berkeley and agency guidance for UC Berkeley investigators related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and human subjects research. The page will be updated as new information is available.
The Office for Protection of Human Subjects continues to operate during normal business hours with staff working remotely. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email the OPHS staff at [email protected] but please do not call us.
HIPAA-Compliant Zoom Meetings
Principal investigators: If you are conducting human subjects research that involves the use/transmission and/or collection of Personal Health Information (PHI) that is covered by HIPAA regulations, UC Berkeley does have access to HIPAA-compliant Zoom meetings, which can be associated either with an individual or department (Special Purpose Account) that can be shared amongst team members. Anyone who has the need for a HIPAA-compliant Zoom account, can order one by submitting a service request in the Telecom catalog. For questions about HIPAA-compliant Zoom, they can call 664-9000, options 2,1 or send email to [email protected].
UC Berkeley
As of April 25, 2022, the research resumption proposal requirement has been discontinued. This means that a research resumption proposal is no longer required to conduct in-person research with human subjects. If you already have an approved research resumption proposal, the procedures described in the proposal are no longer necessary nor valid. However, please continue to follow current campus or local guidelines regarding general health and safety requirements.
Previous Guidance
- Human Subjects Research Guidelines and Resumption Proposal Supplement Form: This version superseded the 3/13/2020, 3/20/2020, 6/17/2020, 8/31/2020, 10/1/2020, 11/5/2020, 4/13/2021, and 5/20/2021 versions. As of 4/25/2022, it is no longer required.
- Letter to researchers with approved human subjects research protocol: In-person research interaction to cease immediately (3/20/2020)
- Letter to PIs regarding the conduct of HSR and the COVID-19 Pandemic: COVID-19 and Human Subjects Research (3/13/2020)
- Clarification re: Screening for COVID-19 in HSR
National Institutes of Health
National Science Foundation
NSF Guidance on the Effects of COVID-19 on Human Subjects Research