Getting the best from IRAS

4.2 Receiving a transfer

If you are collaborating on a research project, or are responsible for providing services to support research projects (e.g. radiology) you may be asked to provide input into a project’s application for a research approval / permission.

There are two ways that this may happen, one is within IRAS (via the ‘transfer’ tab) and the other is email / paper based.

What to be aware of when you receive a transfer in IRAS

  • You will need to have an IRAS account to receive a transfer;
  • Once you accept a transfer, you will be able to make changes to the content of the application;
  • Any changes that you do make are saved directly in IRAS;
  • IRAS does not mark any changes you have made as tracked, nor give the owner of the project the option to accept / reject any of your changes;
  • You will not be able to submit any forms (this functionality remains with the project owner);
  • The project owner cannot make any changes to their application whilst it is transferred to you;
  • The project owner can recall their application at any time by using the ‘Retrieve application’ button;
  • In most cases, transfers can only be made by the project owner. However there are some exceptions (e.g. the ARSAC form has been designed so that it can be passed on from person to person regardless of who ‘owns’ the project).

Receiving a transfer in IRAS

When a researcher transfers an application to you, you will receive an email from IRAS alerting you to the fact.

When you login to IRAS your My Projects page will now show project(s) with the status >> PENDING <<. These project(s) are currently awaiting a decision from you with respect to transfer.

Select the link for the project title and you will be given the choice to either accept or reject the transfer. If you accept a transfer you will then be able to make changes to the application directly in IRAS. (If you reject the transfer, the application will be returned to the project owner).

Once you have finished with the application, you can return it to the project owner using the 'Send back' button (they will be informed of this via email).

An alternative way of sharing applications

Some researchers may prefer not to use the ‘transfer’ tab in IRAS and instead may email you draft versions of their applications and ask that you provide input to their applications by printing off and annotating a hard copy.

Note: Since these draft versions are saved in pdf format, it’s unlikely that you will be able to make any changes to these electronically.