What is the Great Lakes Community Review Board (GLCRB)?

Here is where you can write the The Great Lakes Community Review Board (GLCRB) ensures that research conducted in and with communities is ethical, humanizing, and beneficial to residents. We provide an independent review process that evaluates the ethical integrity of community-based research projects, prioritizing community consent, relational accountability, and research that builds collective capacity. to that question.

What is the mission of GLCRB?

Our mission is to advance ethical, community-led research by ensuring that communities have a voice in the research conducted in their neighborhoods, that research benefits the people it studies, and that researchers engage with communities in ways that are respectful, reciprocal, and accountable.

How was GLCRB created?

The GLCRB was founded by a group of residents, researchers, and community-focused leaders who recognized the need for a community-led research review process. City Rising, a social impact studio, serves as the convening partner, but GLCRB is an independent entity and will soon be incorporated as a 501(c)(3).

Why is a Community Review Board necessary?

Traditional Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) do not fully account for the unique ethical concerns and complexities of community-based research. Under current IRB structures:

• Community knowledge can be exploited, and community resources can be extracted without benefit to residents.

• There is no advocate for the community’s interests.

• Research is not required to provide tangible benefits or social impact.

A community review board ensures that research serves the people it studies and aligns with community priorities.

Who can submit research proposals for review?

Anyone conducting community-based research can submit an application. GLCRB serves two groups:

1. Researchers with access to traditional IRBs who want additional ethical review for community-based research.

2. Researchers without institutional affiliation who need a legally recognized research review for grant applications, publishing requirements, and compliance with federal and state regulations.

What types of research does GLCRB review?

We review community-based research across disciplines, including:

• Public health

• Community development

• Social sciences

• Environmental studies

• Legal research

• Needs assessments

• Outreach & sentiment studies

🚫 We do NOT review: Clinical trials, research involving biospecimen collection, or FDA-related studies.

For questions about specific projects, contact crb@cityrising.org

How does the review process work?

1. Submit a research application and pay the review fee (if applicable).

2. GLCRB reviews the application for completeness.

3. The full board meets to formally review the application.

4. The board issues a decision:

✅ Approved

✅ Approved with Conditions (approval granted once requested changes are made)

🔄 Resubmit (substantive changes required)

❌ Denied

If revisions are needed, the researcher may work with GLCRB to reach approval. Our goal is to help applicants 

How long does the review process take?

Please allow 6-8 weeks for review and decision-making.

What are the criteria for research approval?

GLCRB evaluates applications based on community consent, ethical integrity, reciprocity, and benefit to residents. See our Application Overview for full evaluation criteria.

Is there a fee for research review?

Yes. Fees are determined by:

• The annual revenue of the researcher’s affiliated organization OR

• The total budget of the research project.

• Citizen groups or independent researchers without a budget can apply for a fee waiver or fee deferral (more information will be posted soon). 

Fees will be posted soon. 

Will research findings be publicly available?

GLCRB strongly encourages public access to research findings, but we cannot require it. However, we will provide public access to applications and updates on approved projects.

Does GLCRB offer consultations before application submission?

Yes! Contact crb@cityrising.org to schedule a consultation.

How does GLCRB ensure research is ethical and beneficial?

GLCRB requires applicants to:

• Demonstrate how their research benefits the community.

• Disclose ethical commitments and how they are enacted.

• Show how community members will be involved across all research phases.

What What are the core principles of GLCRB? a frequently asked question?

GLCRB is guided by:

• Community Consent & Involvement at every research stage.

• Humanizing research that values dignity and lived experiences.

• Challenging stereotypes and harmful narratives.

• Addressing Resident Desires rather than focusing solely on deficits.

• Relational Accountability between researchers and communities.

• Building Collective Capacity through ethical, community-led research.

What is “desire-based” research?

Unlike traditional research that focuses on problems and deficits, desire-based research prioritizes community aspirations, strengths, and visions for the future. It asks:

• What do communities want to build?

• What assets and wisdom already exist within the community?

• How can research amplify and support community-driven solutions?

Does GLCRB require financial compensation for community participants?

We require research to provide community benefits. While financial compensation is strongly encouraged, we recognize other forms of reciprocity, such as skill-building and co-ownership of research outcomes.

Who can become a GLCRB member?

Anyone who is committed to advocating for ethical, community-led research and successfully completes training.

What training is required for members?

GLCRB members must complete:

• Human Subjects Research Course (Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative - CITI)

• Community-Based Research Ethics & Accountability Training (GLCRB)

How often does GLCRB meet?

GLCRB meets monthly to review applications and discuss research ethics.

Are GLCRB members compensated?

Yes. Compensation is supported by research review fees. Some members choose to waive compensation as part of their professional service.

How can community members get involved?

Ways to participate:

• Attend GLCRB meetings and events.

• Follow research updates via Mirror Indy (our reporting partner).

• Join GLCRB as a member.

• Submit a research application.

Can organizations partner with GLCRB?

Yes! We invite organizations that fund, support, or lead community-based research to:

• Require community review for their funded projects.

• Demonstrate commitment to ethical, community-first research by pledging institutional support. 

Where is GLCRB based?

We are based in Indianapolis, but our members are located across the Great Lakes region. We review research from any location.

How can I contact GLCRB?

Email: crb@cityrising.org (through our convening partner, City Rising)

Coming Soon: GLCRB will soon become an independent 501(c)(3), and our contact information will be updated accordingly.