Submitting an application is an important milestone, but submission does not always mean IRB review has started. Your ERICA status shows where the application is, what happens next, and who may need to act.

• Start with your ERICA status. Every application displays a status that changes as it moves through the review process. Use the ERICA Status Key to understand your current status and any required follow-up.

• Plan around estimated review timelines. Visit the Submission and Review Schedules page when planning a submission. If you have a firm research deadline, submit as early as practical.

• Remember that the review clock can pause. Not every day between submission and approval represents active IRB review time. An application may be waiting for another committee, required documentation, or a response from the study team.

• When is it time to contact the IRB? Routine status emails are usually unnecessary while an application is progressing within the published timeline. For a checklist to help you know when and who to contact at the IRB, click the button below to visit our new resource for new investigators! 

For more information, you can visit our How to Track Your Application guidance page.