Office for Research’s DRAFT Services Sees Record Engagement
The DRAFT Services team at Rutgers University continues to gain momentum as a go‑to resource for faculty navigating the IRB submission process, building on record engagement and strong demand during FY26.
Formed in 2020 to fast-track COVID research during the pandemic and expanded to all human subject research submissions in 2021, the Document Revision And Feedback Team (DRAFT) strives to improve IRB submission outcomes with consultations and comprehensive pre-reviews of new eIRB+ applications.
In 2025, the team saw remarkable success in streamlining and facilitating the IRB submission process, as a record 156 researchers used the service, a 300% increase from FY2024. With 100 researchers using DRAFT Services so far in FY26, the team is on a path to reach or surpass 150 for the second-straight year.
“Rutgers’ human research protection program is one of the finest in the nation, highlighted by our recent reaccreditation by the Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs,” said José Román, JD, DMin, vice president of Research Administration within the Office for Research (OfR). “Our IRB and HRPP teams are fantastic, with a dedication that ensures the research conducted across the university protects participants while enabling discovery and innovation.”
On top of that, the service significantly reduces turnaround times and improves overall efficiency. In FY2025, while the median turnaround time for studies not utilizing DRAFT Services was 10.8 business days, studies that did utilize DRAFT Services consistently maintained a reduced median of 6.9 business days for time spent in the review. This reduction highlights the value of expert guidance in accelerating compliance processes without compromising quality.
“We are incredibly proud of the success of the DRAFT Services program, and the people whose hard work and dedication allow Rutgers researchers to spend more time on their important research,” said Hila Berger, MPH, CHC, CIP, assistant vice president of Research Regulatory Affairs within the OfR. “The number of researchers who have used the service shows how valuable it is, and we look forward to its continued growth and improvement.”
By minimizing delays and ensuring submissions meet IRB standards from the outset, the service empowers investigators to focus on what matters most: advancing their research.
The success of DRAFT Services reflects a commitment to supporting Rutgers’ research community with practical, impactful solutions. As demand continues to grow, the team remains dedicated to helping researchers save time, reduce stress, and achieve compliance with confidence.
