Great lakes inter-tribal council IRB project

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences awarded Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, Inc., $389,723 on July 1, 2026, under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859) to establish a tribally controlled Institutional Review Board providing ethical oversight of research involving tribal communities in the Bemidji area.

The Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council IRB Project will develop culturally responsive IRB policies and procedures through meaningful tribal consultations reflecting tribal values and priorities; build administrative capacity to support IRB operations, including training for members, secure data management, and protocol tracking systems; and conduct ongoing evaluations to assess the IRB's effectiveness and ensure alignment with tribal priorities. The IRB will serve the 11 federally recognized tribes in Wisconsin and one in Michigan that GLITC represents, leveraging partnerships with tribal leaders, tribal colleges and universities, and academic institutions to create a framework that upholds tribal sovereignty and scientific rigor. The project aims to address historical mistrust caused by unethical research practices by empowering Native experts to oversee research protocols and foster trust in research as a sustainable model for ethical and culturally sensitive research oversight prioritizing tribal self-determination.

Performance occurs at Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin, with a period of performance from July 1, 2026, through March 31, 2031.

Abstract

GLITC IRB project the great lakes inter-tribal council (GLITC) institutional review board (IRB) project aims to establish a tribally controlled IRB to ensure ethical oversight of research involving tribal communities in the bemidji area, encompassing michigan, minnesota, wisconsin, illinois, and indiana. Representing 11 tribes in wisconsin and one in michigan, GLITC will leverage its administrative resources and partnerships with tribal leaders, tribal colleges and universities (TCUS), and academic institutions to develop a culturally informed framework that upholds tribal sovereignty and scientific rigor. The project's goals are to (1) develop culturally responsive IRB policies and procedures through meaningful tribal consultations, ensuring they reflect tribal values and priorities; (2) build administrative capacity to support IRB operations, including training for members, secure data management, and protocol tracking systems; and (3) conduct ongoing evaluations to assess the IRB's effectiveness, ensure alignment with tribal priorities, and foster continuous improvement. By empowering native experts to oversee research protocols, the GLITC IRB project will address historical mistrust caused by unethical research practices, foster trust in research, and serve as a sustainable model for ethical and culturally sensitive research oversight that prioritizes tribal self-determination and values.