Which of the following statements is true about FWAs?

The statement about an institution must have an active Federalwide Assurance (FWA) before receiving National Institutes of Health (NIH) funds is accurate. The FWA is a formal declaration that an institution will adhere to ethical standards and protections for human subjects in research, as mandated by federal regulations. Prior to participating in research funded by the NIH, institutions are required to have this assurance in place to ensure that they uphold the necessary protections for participants. This ensures a baseline level of compliance with ethical standards in human subjects research.

The other statements do not fully capture the function of an FWA. While filing an FWA does indicate a commitment to comply with the Common Rule, it does not alone assure compliance, as compliance requires ongoing actions and adherence to the terms of the FWA. Additionally, while filing an FWA may be seen as indicative of an institution's intent to follow regulations, it does not serve as a guarantee of the institution's research capabilities. Thus, having an active FWA is critical for institutions looking to receive federal funding, particularly from NIH, which underscores the essential nature of this requirement.