Is the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)?

The Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) is indeed a separate entity and not part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). OHRP operates under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and plays a crucial role in ensuring the protection of the rights and welfare of human research subjects. Its responsibilities include overseeing compliance with ethical standards, providing guidance, and enhancing public understanding of research ethics.

Understanding the organizational structure is essential since OHRP provides regulatory oversight of human subject research, while NIH is primarily focused on advancing biomedical research. This distinction highlights the separate functional roles they have within the broader framework of health research in the United States. Recognizing the specific agency’s functions and jurisdiction helps clarify the landscape of human research protections.