What does a Federalwide Assurance (FWA) signify for an institution?

A Federalwide Assurance (FWA) is a formal commitment from an institution to the federal government that it will adhere to the ethical principles and regulatory requirements established in the Common Rule, which governs the protection of human subjects in research. By acquiring an FWA, an institution assures that it will uphold these standards in all of its research activities involving human participants, thereby outlining its responsibility to protect their rights and welfare.

This assurance is essential for institutions that conduct research supported by federal agencies, as it establishes a trust relationship wherein the institution commits to ethical oversight and compliance with regulatory expectations. The FWA is not focused on specific program funding or the internal establishment of regulations; rather, its primary purpose is to demonstrate the institution's commitment to ethical conduct in research involving human subjects as recognized by federal oversight.