informed consent form for research study pdf

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IRB Consent Form Templates

A collection of informed consent, assent, and debriefing templates that can be used for your human participant research study.

General Consent Form Templates

Social and Behavioral Research Projects (last updated 03/16/2023)

Biomedical Research Projects (last updated 07/18/2022)

Consent Form Templates for Specific Biomedical Procedures

MRI and fMRI

Blood Collection by Finger Stick

Blood Collection by Venipuncture

Oral Consent Template

Guidance for Protocols Involving Oral Consent

Debriefing Template

Guidance and Template for Debriefing Participants

Studies Involving Children (Assent/Permission Forms)

Parent-Guardian Permission for Studies Involving Children

Sample Parental Notification Form

Sample Child Assent Form

Performance Release for Minors

Performance Releases

Performance Release for Adults

Sample Consent Forms

Consent form templates.

These consent form templates have been posted for your reference.  When completing and IRB submission in IRBIS, please fill in the application and use the consent form builder specific to your project.  For more information, please find instructions here .

Summary of Changes to the Regulations for Informed Consent:  Revised Common Rule Changes to Informed Consent and Waiver Requirements

Summary of Changes to Consent Documents:

• Informed Consent Documents – Version 2.0 Summary of Changes
• Informed Consent Documents – Version 2.1 Summary of Changes
• Informed Consent Documents – 10/26/2020 Summary of Changes
• Informed Consent Documents – 4/10/2023 Summary of Changes

Concise Summary examples can be found here .

Guidance on the use of plain language in consent forms:

• Clinical Research Glossary
• Webinar: The Promise of Plain Language: Launching a Glossary to Support Participant Understanding of Clinical Research – Recording & Slides

There are a few additional forms that are not provided online and may be accessed below.  As needed, these should be completed and uploaded to your IRB application.

Foreign Language Consent Forms

COVID-19 Related Forms:

• Spanish-IRB-COVID Information Sheet
• Spanish COVID Consent Letter v2
• Spanish COVID Informational Sheet Translation Certificate

Informed Consent Short Form (for a single subject who may be illiterate, or otherwise unable to read the consent form — used when full consent form has to be read or translated for subject).

• Informed Consent Short Form Guidance
• Simplified Chinese

HIPAA Templates

• Sample HIPAA Authorization Template
• Sample HIPAA Authorization Template in Spanish ( Certification )

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Informed Consent Guidelines & Templates

U-m hrpp informed consent information.

See the HRPP Operations Manual, Part 3, Section III, 6 e .

The human subjects in your project must participate willingly , having been adequately informed about the research.  

• If the human subjects are part of a vulnerable population (e.g., prisoners, cognitively impaired individuals, or children), special protections are required.
• If the human subjects are children , in most cases you must first obtain the permission of parents in addition to the consent of the children.

Contact the IRB Office for more information .

See the Waiver Guidelines  for information about, and policies regarding, waivers for informed consent or informed consent documentation. 

See the updated  Basic Informed Consent Elements document  for a list of 2018 Common Rule basic and additional elements. 

Informed Consent Process

Informed consent is the process of telling potential research participants about the key elements of a research study and what their participation will involve.  The informed consent process is one of the central components of the ethical conduct of research with human subjects.  The consent process typically includes providing a written consent document containing the required information (i.e., elements of informed consent) and the presentation of that information to prospective participants.  

In most cases, investigators are expected to obtain a signature from the participant on a written informed consent document (i.e., to document the consent to participate) unless the IRB has waived the consent requirement or documentation (signature) requirement .

• Projects which collect biospecimens for genetic analysis must obtain documented (signed) informed consent.
• It is an ethical best practice to include an informed consent process for most exempt research .   IRB-HSBS reviews, as applicable, the IRB application for exempt research, but not the informed consent document itself.  A suggested consent template for exempt research can be found below under the References and Resources section.  A companion protocol template for exempt research may be found in the feature box, Related Information (top right).

Informed consent documents

An  informed consent document  is typically used to provide subjects with the information they need to make a decision to volunteer for a research study.  Federal regulations ( 45 CFR 46.116 ) provide the framework for the type of information (i.e., the "elements") that must be included as part of the consent process.  New with the revised 2018 Common Rule is the requirement that the consent document begin with a "concise and focused" presentation of key information  that will help potential participants understand why they might or might not want to be a part of a research study.  

Key Information Elements

The image below displays the  five elements identified in the preamble to the revised Final Rule  as suggested key information.  

Note: Element number 5 (alternative procedures) applies primarily to clinical research.

General Information & Tips for Preparing a Consent Document

Reading level.

Informed consent documents should be written in plain language at a level appropriate to the subject population, generally at an 8th grade reading level .  A best practice is to have a colleague or friend read  the  informed consent document for comprehension before submission with the IRB application.  Always:

For guidance on using plain language, examples, and more, visit: http://www.plainlanguage.gov/

• Tailor the document to the subject population.
• Avoid technical jargon or overly complex terms.
• Use  straightforward  language that is understandable.

Writing tips

The informed consent document should succinctly describe the research as it has been presented in the IRB application.

• Use the second (you) or third person (he/she) to present the study details.  Avoid use of the first person (I).  
• Include a statement of agreement at the conclusion of the informed consent document. 
• The consent doucment must be consistent with what is described in the IRB application.

Document Formating for Uploading into eResearch

• Remove "track changes" or inserted comments from the consent documentation prior to uploading the document into the IRB application (Section 10-1) for review.
• Use a consistent, clearly identified file naming convention for multiple consent/assent documents.

Informed Consent Templates

IRB-HSBS strongly recommends that investigators use one of the informed consent templates developed to include the required consent elements (per  45 CFR 46.116 ), as well as other required regulatory and institutional language.  The templates listed below include the new consent elements outlined in the 2018 Common Rule.

References and Resources

• Brief protocol for exempt research including data management and security questionnaire

Informed Consent Guidance

PDF.  Lists the basic and additional elements required for inclusion or to be included, as appropriate to the research, in the informed consent documentation, along with the citiation number [e.g., _0116(b)(1)] within the revised Common Rule.  New elements associated with the 2018 Common Rule are indicated in bold text.

Informed Consent Templates (2018 Common Rule)

Strongly recommended for studies that involve the collection of biospecimens and/or genetic or genomic analysis, particularly  federally sponsored clinical trials that are required to post a consent document on a public website.  Last updated:  05/8/2023.

(Word) Blank template with 2018 revised Common Rule key information and other required informed consent elements represented as section headers; includes instructions and recommended language.  It is strongly advised that you modify this template to draft a project-specific informed consent document for your study for IRB review and approval.  Last updated: 05/08/2023

For use by U-M Dearborn faculty, staff, and students conducting non-exempt human subjects research using subject pools.

Other Templates

Informed Consent documents are not reviewed by the IRB for Exempt projects.  However, researchers are ethically bound to conduct a consent process with subjects.  This template is suggested for use with Exempt projects.

(Word) General outline to create and post a flyer seeking participation in a human subjects study.  Includes instructions.

(Word) Two sample letters for site approval cooperation between U-M and other institutions, organizations, etc.  Letters of cooperation must be on U-M letterhead and signed by an appropriate official.  These letters are uploaded into the Performance Site section of the eResearch IRB application.

For use by U-M Dearborn faculty, staff, and students conducting exempt human subjects research using subject pools

Researchers who will conduct data collection that is subject to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) must use this template in tandem with a general consent for participation template/document.

Child Assent and Parental Permission

• Child assent ages 3-6
• Child assent ages 7-11
• Child assent ages 12-14
• Parent permission

IRB-Health Sciences and Behavioral Sciences (IRB-HSBS)

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• v.14(2); 2018 Jun

How to obtain informed consent for research

1 University of Messina, “G. Martino” Hospital, Messina, Italy

Amelia Licari

2 University of Pavia, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy

Current biomedical research on human subjects requires clinical trial, which is defined as “any research study that prospectively assigns human participants or groups of humans to one or more health-related interventions [ i.e. drugs, cells or other biological products, surgical procedures, devices] to evaluate the effects on health outcomes” [1]. In our modern ethical conception, all research conducted on humans must be pre-emptively accepted by the subjects themselves through the procedure known as informed consent, which is a process by which “a subject voluntarily confirms his or her willingness to participate in a particular trial, after having been informed of all aspects of the trial that are relevant to the subject’s decision to participate”, as stated in the International Council for Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice guidelines [2]. Informed consent is documented by means of a written, signed and dated informed consent form. This form is required in the following cases: 1) when the research involves patients, children, incompetent/incapacitated persons, healthy volunteers, immigrants or others ( e.g. prisoners); 2) when the research uses/collects human genetic material, biological samples or personal data [3].

Short abstract

The process of obtaining informed consent for clinical trials is tightly regulated; complications arise in circumstances when consent may be waived, or when needed from vulnerable populations http://ow.ly/rEMe30j5MVq

Current biomedical research on human subjects requires clinical trial, which is defined as “any research study that prospectively assigns human participants or groups of humans to one or more health-related interventions [ i.e. drugs, cells or other biological products, surgical procedures, devices] to evaluate the effects on health outcomes” [ 1 ]. In our modern ethical conception, all research conducted on humans must be pre-emptively accepted by the subjects themselves through the procedure known as informed consent, which is a process by which “a subject voluntarily confirms his or her willingness to participate in a particular trial, after having been informed of all aspects of the trial that are relevant to the subject’s decision to participate”, as stated in the International Council for Harmonisation Good Clinical Practice guidelines [ 2 ]. Informed consent is documented by means of a written, signed and dated informed consent form. This form is required in the following cases: 1) when the research involves patients, children, incompetent/incapacitated persons, healthy volunteers, immigrants or others ( e.g. prisoners); 2) when the research uses/collects human genetic material, biological samples or personal data [ 3 ].

The informed consent form must be written in language easily understood by the subjects, it must minimise the possibility of coercion or undue influence, and the subject must be given sufficient time to consider participation. However, informed consent is not merely a form that is signed, but is a process in which the subject has an understanding of the research and its risks, and it is tightly described in ethical codes and regulations for human subject research [ 2 ].

Educational aims

• To provide a comprehensive overview of issues in obtaining informed consent in clinical research.
• To describe the process of obtaining informed consent in clinical trials.
• To highlight the circumstances under which informed consent can be waived.
• To review the setting of obtaining informed consent from “vulnerable populations”.

The informed consent process

The voluntary expression of the consent by a competent subject and the adequate information disclosure about the research are critical and essential elements of the informed consent process [ 4 ]. Competent subjects able to comprehend the research-related information should personally decide and provide the consent on research participation. Conditions posing practical challenges in obtaining informed consent from the real subject may include situations of medical emergency or obtaining consent from “vulnerable” subjects and/or children [ 5 ].

Research-related information must be presented to enable people to voluntarily decide whether or not to participate as a research subject. For an ethically valid consent, information provided to a research subject should include, but not be limited to: information about the health condition for which the research is proposed; details of the nature and purpose of the research; the expected duration of the subject’s participation; a detailed description of study treatment or intervention and of any experimental procedures (including, in the case of randomised clinical trials (RCTs), also blinding and randomisation); a statement that participation in research is voluntary; probable risks and benefits associated with research participation; details of the nature of the illness and possible outcome if the condition is left untreated; availability, risks and benefits of alternative treatments; information about procedures adopted for ensuring data protection/confidentiality/privacy, including duration of storage of personal data; details about the handling of any incidental findings of the research; description of any planned genetic tests; details of insurance coverage in case of injury; reference contacts for any further answers to pertinent questions about the research and the subject’s rights and in case of any research-related injury to the subject; and any other information that seems necessary for an informed decision to be taken by the subject. Of particular importance, a statement offering the subject the opportunity to withdraw at any time from the research without consequences must be provided during the information disclosure [ 2 ]. Specific information should be provided in case of research projects involving children, incapacitated adults not able to give informed consent, illiterate populations, etc. (as will be described later in this article).

The information about the research should be given by a physician or by other individuals ( i.e.  researchers) with appropriate scientific training and qualifications [ 6 ]. Furthermore, the location where the informed consent is being discussed, and the subject’s physical, emotional and psychological capability, must be taken into consideration when taking consent from a human subject.

Informed consent: when is it not necessary?

After institutional review board (IRB) or independent ethics committee approval is achieved, obtaining informed consent from each human subject prior to his/her participation in clinical trial is mandatory [ 5 ]. However, when specific circumstances occur, the informed consent can be waived, and “research without consent” is possible, which allows enrolment of patients without their consent, under strict regulation [ 7 ]. In order that research without consent is considered justifiable, the following three conditions have to be met: 1) it is impracticable to obtain consent, 2) the research does not infringe the principle of self-determination, and 3) the research provides significant clinical relevance [ 8 ].

The first condition, of “impracticability”, occurs when obtaining informed consent is burdened by high impact in terms of time and economic resources or could compromise the study’s validity [ 8 ]. The second condition means that, although physicians are requested to ensure that the patient has understood the aim of the research and the risks and/or benefits associated with study participation, the researchers are also advised to respect the patient’s decision-making capacity, not interfering with his/her decisions and acting always in the patient’s best interest [ 9 ]. The third condition leads to justification of waiving consent when the clinical relevance and public health importance are potentially high [ 8 ].

The formal literature identifies different types of RCTs and classifies them into three macro-areas: 1) RCTs based on infeasibility of informed consent; 2) RCTs that omit informed consent only for control groups; and 3) RCTs that omit informed consent entirely.

RCTs based on infeasibility of informed consent

Emergency clinical studies, involving critically ill subjects, represent an exception to the requirement of informed consent. The investigated life-saving therapy and the medical intervention may be required immediately, not permitting the researchers to wait and respect all procedures of obtaining informed consent. Within this context, the researchers will be able to proceed with patient recruitment, also without the subject’s consent to treatment, when, prior to the study, the IRB has ascertained the presence of mandatory conditions ( table 1 ) [ 10 ].

Table 1

Conditions to be met in emergency clinical study

Cluster randomised studies include cluster-cluster and individual-cluster research [ 11 ]. In cluster-cluster designs ( e.g. studies on infectious disease prevention), the intervention involves the entire target community, so that single subjects cannot refuse it [ 12 ]. Conversely, in individual-cluster designs ( e.g. studies on primary care), although the intervention involves all the selected community, the right to refuse treatment is allowed. Under this circumstance, the omission of informed consent is justified only when the treatment refusal undermines the validity of the research study and/or procedures [ 13 ].

RCTs that omit informed consent only for control groups

In Zelen’s single-consent model ( e.g. RCTs in infectious or oncological diseases), randomisation occurs prior to any consent, and informed consent is sought only from individuals assigned to experimental treatment [ 14 ]. In the control group, the physicians do not make substantial changes in routine patient care, so informed consent is not required for patient enrolment [ 8 ].

In order to improve study recruitment, Zelen developed the double-consent design. Specifically, informed consent is requested for subjects to be involved in the study but not for the randomisation, preventing psychological distress [ 14 ].

In follow-up studies, the nested consent model ( e.g. for single cohort studies) or cohort multiple RCTs model ( e.g. for multiple cohort studies) is applied. In these variants, patients give their consent for prospective follow-up; however, they remain blinded to any randomised experimental interventions [ 15 ].

In trials using the model of “consent to postponed information”, the informed consent process is carried out after the study is completed [ 16 ].

All these RCT types aim to avoid unnecessary stress in patients who will not receive the new promising experimental treatment. Moreover, these clinical study designs do not affect the standard therapeutic approach or infringe the rights of the patients in the control group; therefore, the clinical trial can proceed without obtaining informed consent [ 8 ].

RCTs that omit informed consent entirely

Based on the fact that patients are assigned to standard care interventions, no informed consent is sought either in low-risk pragmatic RCTs [ 17 ] or in prompted optional randomisation trials [ 18 , 19 ]. However, in a low-risk pragmatic RCT, patients do not have the possibility to choose one of the two standard treatments, whereas in a prompted optional randomisation trial, both the researchers and the enrolled patients can choose one type of treatment over another, despite the randomisation results [ 6 ].

Special needs: vulnerable patients

A “vulnerable population” is defined as a disadvantaged community subgroup unable to make informed choices, protect themselves from inherent or intended risks, or keep their own interests safeguarded [ 20 ]. In the health domain, “vulnerable populations” refers to physical vulnerability ( e.g. pregnant women, fetuses, children, orphans, students, employees, prisoners, the military, and those who are chronically or terminally ill), psychological vulnerability (cognitively and intellectually impaired individuals) and social vulnerability (those who are homeless, from ethnic minorities, are immigrants or refugees) [ 20 ].

Due to a compromised free will and inability to make conscious decisions, several ethical dilemmas (related to communications, privacy and treatment) often arise when research involves these populations. Guaranteeing protection of rights, safety, data privacy and confidentiality of vulnerable subjects are prerogatives of good clinical practice, and law dispositions are regulated and strictly monitored by the applicable authorities [ 21 ].

Physical vulnerability

For a long time, pregnant women were excluded from clinical research because of their “vulnerability”. Although pregnant women are able to make informed and conscious choices, they have been considered “vulnerable” due to the potential risks to the fetus, who is also considered as a “patient” [ 22 ]. More recently, with the consideration of pregnant women as “scientifically complex” rather than “vulnerable” subjects, it has been permitted to involve this category in research trials [ 23 ]. The “scientific complexity” reflects both ethical and physiological complexity. The ethical aspects are secondary to the need to find a balance between interests of the fetus and the mother. The physiological aspects are strictly related to the pregnancy status [ 24 ].

Research studies involving pregnant women and fetuses have to satisfy specific federal regulations ( table 2 ). The following appropriate precautions should be taken in research studies involving pregnant women: no pregnant woman may be involved as a subject in a human clinical research project unless the purpose of the research is to meet the health needs of the mother and the fetus will be placed at risk only to the minimum extent necessary to meet such needs, or the risk to the fetus is minimal [ 25 ].

Table 2

Conditions to be met in research studies involving pregnant women and fetuses

Researchers can enrol pregnant women only when the mother and/or the father are legally competent. In fact, the consent to participate in research may be either self-directed (only the mother’s consent is required) or made with the guidance of the woman’s partner. However, the father’s consent need not be obtained when: 1) the research activity is directed to the health needs of the mother; 2) the father’s identity is doubtful; 3) the father is absent; or 4) a pregnancy from rape has occurred [ 26 ]. The consent signature requirements from the mother and father are summarised in table 3 . Once the informed consent is obtained, the pregnant women will be included into any phase of the study unless the research project will be compromised or the patient’s health (mother and/or fetus) will be in danger.

Table 3

Consent signature requirements for pregnant women and children

# : consent requirements are the same whether the risk is “no more than minimal” or “more than minimal”.

Medical students and employees, who take part in numerous aspects of patient care in primary, secondary and tertiary care settings, are often invited to participate in human studies as volunteers. Frequently, the requesting researcher is their supervisor or instructor, who may push them to participate in the study, which can negatively influence their decision and also violate the consent legitimacy. Therefore, in order to protect these subjects against “coercion” or “undue influence”, when an investigator wishes to recruit medical students or employees, they must first obtain IRB approval for inclusion in the study of these vulnerable subgroups [ 27 ].

Prisoners, defined as any individual involuntarily confined or detained in a penal institution, are considered as “vulnerable” because they may be coerced into study participation, and also, due to both cognitive and psychiatric disorders, they can show an impaired ability to provide voluntary informed consent [ 28 ]. To protect this population, the Office for Human Research Protections has stipulated federal regulations according to which the only studies that may involve prisoners are those with independent and valid reasons for involving them ( table 4 ) [ 25 ].

Table 4

Studies that may involve prisoners

Due to the context of war in which they work, as well as the critical care setting in which they are treated, military subjects often receive medical care and/or participate in biomedical research under an “implied consent” condition. Moreover, the superior–subordinate relationship contributes to favour coercion or undue influence, making this population vulnerable [ 29 ]. To curb this phenomenon and to ensure that participation is truly voluntary, the US Dept of Defense agencies have adopted requirements similar to those that govern medical research that applies to the civilian population. Accordingly, the medical research recruitment session happens in the absence of superiors, and the informed consent is obtained prior to participating in a medical research study. The presence of an ombudsman guarantees and verifies that the participation is voluntary and that the information provided during recruitment is complete, accurate and clear. A payment as an incentive is acceptable but it must not be used to legitimise a coercive interference. Additional protection is provided to students at service academies, especially those aged <18 years. However, when emergency research is conducted or the research study advances the development of a medical product needed by the armed forces, informed consent will not be required [ 29 ].

Psychological vulnerability

Mental disability may compromise the self-determination and decision-making capacities [ 30 ]. Researchers interested in enrolling individuals with cognitive disorders are invited to apply different strategies to promote a better understanding of information-gathering processes. Simplifying the questions and content, adopting supportive technologies, using a more simple language, and spending more time for the information process have been suggested as useful and valid measures. When all these strategies prove to be insufficient, the investigators are required to obtain consent from a legally authorised representative [ 30 ].

Social vulnerability

Similarly to other vulnerable populations, research involving the homeless, ethnic minorities, immigrants and refugees is regulated by laws and specific procedures. Cultural and language differences, “undocumented” migrant status, and the precarious legal positions of these subjects raise several ethical issues, such as whether the participation is truly voluntary, or there are unrealistic expectations, or any benefits for their “status”.

Obtaining informed consent in these groups is extremely complex. A friendly procedure has been identified as the best way to adequately involve these vulnerable groups. A health centre or community building could represent an accessible location. The reimbursement of travel expenses for applicants can be a valid solution to obtain a representative sample for the clinical research. Clear and simple language, emphasising confidentiality, with the help of professional interpreters, can tempt migrants to sign the consent form. Lastly, the possibility of receiving something back in return for their contribution may enable successful enrolment of migrants in research [ 31 ].

Special needs: children

Because of their young age as well as their limited emotional and intellectual abilities, children are considered to be legally incompetent to give valid informed consent; thus, to enrol a child in a research study, the permission by at least one parent or legal representative is mandatory ( table 3 ). For subjects aged <18 years, biological or adoptive parents or legal guardians (persons having both legal capacity and responsibility) can give consent on behalf of their child, exercising free power of choice without any form of coercion. While married mothers and fathers both have parental responsibility, unmarried parents can exert parental responsibility only if they are named individually on the child’s birth certificate. Also, divorced parents maintain parental responsibility, but it is necessary to know to whom the child’s custody has been assigned [ 32 ]. However, on this matter, the European laws and regulations are not harmonised and several discrepancies are present in each country [ 33 ].

Despite potential benefits for the research subjects, the failure of parents to give consent (or their refusal to give consent) is not a rare circumstance [ 34 ]. It can be the case that researchers are dealing with underage parents, so that, although underage parents are responsible for representing their children, as minors themselves they are not considered to be sufficiently mature; therefore, they will be not able to give valid consent. Literacy and socioeconomic levels have been identified as the most common reasons for parental non-response [ 34 ]. Clarity and adequate explanation of research information materials should be part of effective planning to overcome language and social barriers.

In clinical studies in which the adopted methodology constitutes “less than minimal risks” for children, passive parental consent represents a possible way to more easily obtain informed parental consent [ 34 ]. Furthermore, parents can be informed with regard to a possible study involving their children, and, at the time of data collection, only the child’s assent is required. In fact, although the child’s decision-making capacity and understanding of the research project in which he/she will be involved may be limited, the Medical Research Council have shown that, when study details are provided and communicated in a clear and adequate manner, the child can be able to reach a decision and participate consciously in the research [ 35 ]. “Assent” is the term coined to express the child’s willingness to participate in clinical trials despite their young age. The “assent” should include and respect the following key points: 1) helping the child to acquire disease awareness; 2) explaining the potential impact of the experimental treatment; 3) evaluating the child’s ability to understand and adapt to new situations or challenges; and 4) positively influencing the patient’s willingness to participate in clinical trials [ 36 ]. Although the “assent” is not mandatory for research offering a direct benefit for the child, it arises from the need to respect paediatric research subjects [ 37 ]. The evaluation of the capacity to provide the “assent” is based on developmental stage, intellectual abilities and life or disease experience. Usually, the cut-off age of 7 years is used for the beginning of logical thought processes and rational decision making [ 38 ]. However, “assent” for children aged <7 years can be also required once the ability to read and write has been verified [ 32 ]. Figures 1 and ​ and2 2 summarise the parental and assent permission requirements, respectively.

Flow chart of parental permission requirements.

Flow chart of child assent requirements.

When conducting clinical research, the obtaining of informed consent is required. Informed consent is a procedure through which a competent subject, after having received and understood all the research-related information, can voluntarily provide his or her willingness to participate in a clinical trial. However, when it is impracticable to obtain consent, and the research does not infringe the principle of self-determination and also provides significant clinical relevance, the researcher is legally authorised to proceed without informed consent. Furthermore, in order to preserve the self-determination and decision-making rights, specific law dispositions are applied when vulnerable populations are enrolled in clinical trials.

Self-evaluation questions

• a) Diagnosis
• b) Risks and benefits of treatment
• c) Alternatives to treatment
• d) Family’s wishes
• a) When a minor is considered as emancipated
• b) When a patient is found to be incompetent
• c) When immediate treatment is necessary to prevent death or permanent impairment
• d) When the subject is aged >18 years
• a) Minor is married or divorced
• b) Minor on active duty in the US armed forces
• c) Minor is considered self-sufficient by a court
• d) Minor having a son

Suggested answers

• All research conducted on humans must be pre-emptively accepted by the subjects themselves through the procedure known as informed consent.
• Voluntary expression of consent and adequate information disclosure about the research are critical and essential elements of the informed consent process.
• When specific circumstances occur, informed consent can be waived: if it is impracticable to obtain consent, if the research does not infringe the principle of self-determination, and if the research provides significant clinical relevance.
• Participation of vulnerable patients in clinical trials is regulated by specific law dispositions.

Conflict of interest: None declared.

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• Clinical Trials: What Patients Need to Know

Informed Consent for Clinical Trials

On this page you will find information on:

What is Informed Consent

Before enrolling in a clinical trial, the following information must be given to each potential research subject

When Appropriate, one or more of the following elements of information must also be provided in the informed consent document

A potential research subject must have an opportunity to

Informed consent may not include language that

To many, the term informed consent is mistakenly viewed as the same as getting a research participant's signature on the consent form. FDA believes that obtaining a research participant's verbal or written informed consent is only part of the process. Informed consent involves providing a potential participant with: 

adequate information to allow for an informed decision about participation in the clinical investigation.

facilitating the potential participant's understanding of the information.

an appropriate amount of time to ask questions and to discuss with family and friends the research protocol and whether you should participate.

obtaining the potential participant's voluntary agreement to participate.

continuing to provide information as the clinical investigation progresses or as the subject or situation requires.

To be effective, the process must provide sufficient opportunity for the participant to consider whether to participate. ( 21 CFR 50.20 .) FDA considers this to include allowing sufficient time for participants to consider the information and providing time and opportunity for the participant to ask questions and have those questions answered. The investigator (or other study staff who are conducting the informed consent interview) and the participant should exchange information and discuss the contents of the informed consent document. This process must occur under circumstances that minimize the possibility of coercion or undue influence. (21 CFR 50.20.)

What is Informed Consent? 

As new medical products are being developed, no one knows for sure how well they will work, or what risks they will find.   Clinical trials are used to answer questions such as: 

Are new medical products safe enough to outweigh the risks related to the underlying condition?,

How should the product be used? (for example, the best dose, frequency, or any special precautions necessary to avoid problems),

How effective is the medical product  at relieving symptoms, treating or curing a condition.

The main purpose of clinical trials is to “study” new medical products in people.  It is important for people who are considering participation in a clinical trial to understand their role, as a “subject of research” and not as a patient. 

While research subjects may get personal treatment benefit from participating in a clinical trial, they must understand that they:

may not benefit from the clinical trial,

may be exposed to unknown risks,

are entering into a study that may be very different from the standard medical practices that they currently know 

To make an informed decision about whether to participate or not in a clinical trial, people need to be informed about:

what will be done to them,

how the protocol (plan of research) works,

what risks or discomforts they may experience,

participation being a voluntary decision on their part.

This information is provided to potential participants through the informed consent process.  Informed consent means that the purpose of the research is explained to them, including what their role would be and how the trial will work. 

A central part of the informed consent process is the informed consent document. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not dictate the specific language required for the informed consent document,  but does require certain basic elements of consent be included.

Before enrolling in a clinical trial, the following information must be given to each potential research subject:

A statement explaining that the study involves research.

An explanation of the purposes of the research.

The expected length of time for participation.

A description of all the procedures that will be completed during enrollment on the clinical trial.

Information about all experimental procedures the will be completed during the clinical trial.

A description of any predictable risks.

Any possible discomforts (e.g., injections, frequency of blood test etc.) that could occur as a result of the research.

Any possible benefits that may be expected from the research.

Information about any alternative procedures or treatment (if any) that might benefit the research subject.

A statement describing:

the confidentiality of information collected during the clinical trial,

how records that identify the subject will be kept

the possibility that the FDA may inspect the records.

For research involving more than minimal risk information including

an explanation as to whether any compensation or medical treatments are available if injury occurs,

what they consist of, or

where more information may be found.

questions about the research,

research subjects' rights,

injury related to the clinical trial.

Research subject participation is voluntary,

Research subjects have the right to refuse treatment and will not losing any benefits for which they are entitled,

Research subjects may choose to stop participation in the clinical trial at any time without  losing benefits for which they are entitled.

Contact information will be provided for answers to :

A statement that:

When Appropriate, one or more of the following elements of information must also be provided in the informed consent document:

A statement that the research treatment or procedure may involve unexpected risks (to the subject, unborn baby, if the subject is or may become pregnant).

Any reasons why the research subject participation may be ended by the clinical trial investigator (e.g., failing to follow the requirements of the trial or changes in lab values that fall outside of the clinical trial limits).

Added costs to the research subject that may result from participating in the trial.

The consequence of leaving a trial before it is completed (e.g. if the research and procedures  require a slow and organized end of participation).

A statement that important findings discovered during the clinical trial will be provided to the research subject.

The approximate number of research subjects that will be enrolled in the study.

A potential research subject must have an opportunity to:

read the consent document,

ask questions about anything they do not understand. 

Usually, if one is considering participating in a clinical trial, he or she may take the consent document home to discuss with family, friend or advocate.

An investigator should only get consent from a potential research subject if:

enough time was given to the research subject to consider whether or not to participate

the investigator has not persuaded or influenced the potential research subject.

The information must be in language that is understandable to the research subject.

Informed consent may not include language that:

the research subject is made to ignore or appear to ignore any of the research subject's legal rights,

releases or appears to release the investigator, the sponsor, the institution, or its agents from their liability for negligence.

Participating in clinical trials is voluntary.  You have the right not to participate, or to end your participation in the clinical trial at any time. Read the informed consent document carefully.  Ask questions about any information you don’t understand or find confusing.

Draft Guidance: Informed Consent Information Sheet Guidance for IRBs, Clinical Investigators, and Sponsors

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  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | National Institutes of Health

• IRB Templates
• Created by Swan, Jeremy (NIH/NICHD) [C] , last modified by Marchi, Anthony (NIH/OD) [C] on May 07, 2021

Consent Templates and Guidance

The templates on this page are intended to help investigators construct documents that are as short as possible and written in plain language.  The informed consent form (ICF) templates provided by the IRB comply with federal regulations. 

Considerations Before Writing the Consent Document

Standard language.

The IRB has assembled a compendium of procedure descriptions and their associated risks from consent forms.  This document, called the “consent library” is found below.   To expedite approval of the study consent forms, study teams should use these examples.  The examples serve as a starting point and should be modified as necessary to match the requirements of the specific study.  There is some language inserted which cannot be altered (e.g. radiation risk language and GINA language); those sections are noted in the document.   For any questions about the use of this language in your consent, please contact [email protected]

This is a library of consent language that you may use as applicable in your protocol. For any questions about the use of this language in your consent, please contact [email protected] .

Library of Consent Language:

There are Currently No Attachments

Tips for Developing a New Consent Form

Writing a consent form that uses plain language, and that is brief and clear, requires substantial effort. This effort can be lessened by using the consent template and adding the required information from the consent library (see more information below). However, making the effort to develop consents with these attributes, at the time of the initial submission, will greatly speed up the approval of the study. To get your consent form (s) approved quickly, it is incumbent upon the study team to create clear, simple consent documents.

Getting your Consent Form (ICF) Approved Quickly

To create clear, simple consent documents:

• Follow the instructions in the NIH IRB's template;
• Adhere to the template design specified int the MS Word Style Sheet - margins, type size, font choices, use of bold, etc. - which can be used to control formatting;
• Refer to the PRISM Readability Toolkit which contains information about the principles of Plain Language, and examples for improving readability.
• The IRB has compiled a document entitled  Consent Library [link] which includes Plain Language descriptions of procedures and corresponding risk information. The document can be downloaded as an MS Word file. The IRB does not intend that investigators must use the exact wording for most procedures. Both the descriptions of the procedures, and the associated risks, may be modified and adapted to match each study's specific requirements, with a few exceptions which are noted in the document;
• Target the reading level as close as possible to Grades 6 - 8;
• Have someone without a medical background, who is unfamiliar with the study, review the consent form;
• Edit, revise, and edit again - until the document is clear and concise.

Additional Resources for Consent Forms

• PRISM Readability Toolkit
• Side Effect Tables for Common Oncology Drugs
• Side Effect Tables of Common Oncology Drug Regimens

Consent Templates for use at NIH sites

The ICF template contains all of the required elements of informed consent per the Revised Common Rule. If you follow this template, your consent will be compliant with all of the regulations.

Revised Common Rule Consents

The below consent templates have been updated to comply with the Revised Common Rule. Use these for studies initially approved after 1/21/2019 . Please check out the Consent FAQs for more information.

Common Rule Consents

The below consent templates comply with the pre-2018 Common Rule. Use these for studies initially approved prior to or on 1/21/2019 . Please check out the Consent FAQs for more information.

What if the sponsor or study group has provided a model consent, or you are submitting a consent to an external IRB?

Rewriting model consent forms from Sponsors to attempt to fit the NIH consent form templates often results in consents that do not satisfy regulatory or NIH requirements. The NIH IRB will accept and approve an ICF that differs from the NIH templates, provided that the document contains all of the required, and any applicable optional elements, as required by the HHS Common Rule (45 CFR 46) and if applicable, FDA regulations (21 CFR 50), and  it is well written .

The consent form must include the required elements and optional elements under the federal regulations. In addition, it must include NIH required language: the document header must identify the NIH site; the NIH PI (and not an external PI) must be listed and their contact information provided; NIH's injury language must be used; the NIH Privacy Act and Certificate of Confidentiality language must be used; and the NIH footer must be used at the bottom of the ICF, so that the eIRB system can stamp the form.

Note there are items that often appear in a model consent that are NOT allowed at the NIH: Sponsor research injury language and HIPAA language should all be removed, European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) language must also be removed.

You can insert a model consent form into the following consent templates, whether the NIH is the reviewing IRB, or we are relying on an external IRB.

The NCI CIRB has approved specific local context forms into which the model consent should be inserted:

For all other external IRBs or for a study where you receive a model consent and the NIH is the reviewing IRB, use the following local consent template when research will occur in the Clinical Center (CC):

What if the NIH is the Coordinating Center and/or Sponsor and needs to write a model consent form to distribute to participating sites?

If the protocol will be conducted at multiple sites, then a model consent should be developed that all participating sites will insert into their local template. In addition, space must be provided to include the local context language for the site.  Use the template below to create the model consent, which is specific to the protocol, but not specific to any one of the sites. This model consent must be submitted to the IRB for review/approval prior to distribution to the sites.

Model Consent Template when NIH is the Coordinating Center:

Creating an Informed Consent for Verbal Consent 

What is commonly known as verbal consent, is in regulatory terms, referred to as informed consent with waiver of documentation. The same regulatory elements of written informed consent are required for verbal consent. The "verbal script" that must be developed is essentially a consent form to that will be read to the prospective subject.

Note that if you are conducting a study off-site (i.e., subjects will not be registered as patients at the Clinical Center), then you should include the Privacy Act language as part of the script. (This can be found in the Consent Library.)

When you use a verbal script, you must document the consent process in the medical or research record (as applicable).

Insert Julie’s template for a verbal script

Single Patient IND/Expanded Access

The need for an investigational drug or biologic may arise in an emergency situation that does not allow time for submission of an IND. The FDA can authorize shipment of the test article (drug, biologic or device) in advance of the IND/IDE submission.  Information about the process for physicians can be found on this FDA website and this additional website . 

The FDA requirements and regulations for an emergency IND for the use of an investigational drug or biologic, are slightly different than for an emergency use of a device. In both situations, FDA must conclude that the use of the test article is for a "serious or life-threatening disease or condition and there is no comparable or satisfactory alternative therapy to diagnose, monitor, or treat the disease or condition."

Emergency Use is a special category of the Expanded Access to Investigational Drugs for Treatment Use. Most of the time, the IRB will have sufficient time to review investigators’ requests for expanded access to an investigational drug. Even though only a single individual (or a small group) will receive the investigational drug, this is considered research (a clinical investigation) under the FDA regulations, since the product is yet not approved by the FDA.

2017 FDA Guidance: IRB Concurrence

On October 3, 2017, the FDA issued new guidance regarding individual patient expanded access INDs. The new pathway still involves a submission to the IRB, but the IRB can now provide concurrence by the Chair, or another IRB member, rather than review and approval by the convened board. To use this pathway, the sponsor-investigator needs to request 'Authorization to Use Alternative IRB Review Procedures' from the FDA. This can be done either on FDA form 3926 (section 10.b.), or, if submitting using a FDA form 1571 , by a separate attachment to the FDA. Note: This pathway is only available when a physician sponsor-investigator will hold the IND; it is not available when the pharmaceutical sponsor will hold the IND.

To obtain concurrence, the sponsor-investigator should select "Single Patient Expanded Access Application" in iRIS, complete the submission, and attach the documentation that was submitted to the FDA (e.g. FDA form 3926).

Consent Template for Single Patient Treatment IND or IDE (expanded access)

This consent form is an example, designed specifically for Expanded Access use, including Single Patient emergency, or non-emergency, use. It is assumed that this template will be used as a starting point and might need modifications to adapt to the single patient to be treated. The example assumes the use of a drug or device. The actual content will vary depending on the nature of the investigational agent or device, and whether procedures are done as part of the clinical investigation or for clinical care. Note that our consent template for this refers to the use of the product as treatment, and not as research. 

Expanded Access (including single patient) Consent Template: