The Univ. of Maine's Protection of Human Subjects
Board was contacted by a non-profit organization
in the State of Maine with a request for assistance.
This non-profit organization recently received a
grant from the CDC, but the grant evidently has a
research component involving the use of human
subjects.  At this point, the only information I
know is that the topic is "partner violence," and
includes the use of focus groups and questionnaires.

This organization does not have an IRB, and OPRR
suggested that they link up with a local university
to get a review and approval by a human subject's
board.

I called OPRR and asked what the University's
responsibilities/limitations were when conducting
a review for someone outside the University.  I
was told we would assume the same responsibilities
and liabilities as if the project were being
conducted by a member of our university.

Does anyone have any advice?  Has anyone undertaken
such a review?  If so, did you enter into a formal
agreement about issues of responsibility and liability?
What monitoring of the project did you do?

Thanks for any help; I'd love to talk with anyone with
experience in this area.

Gayle Anderson
Assistant to the IRB
University of Maine
(xxxxxx@maine.maine.edu)
207/581-1498