Research Support Offices
Office of Clinical Research (OCR)
The Office of Clinical Research fosters collaborative and innovative research, while accelerating access to experimental therapy for all Penn Medicine patients, and offering providers research opportunities and supporting the creation of networks to attain our vision.
The five collaborative units span research compliance, finance, legal, operations and regulatory with an overall focus on education and collaboration.
OCR maintains a list of quick contacts (CR Contacts for One Penn Medicine) across Penn Medicine’s clinical research departments. Clinical Research teams can communicate, collaborate about clinical research practices, strategies, challenges, patient populations. This document is Pennkey protected.
If you are new to Clinical Research at Penn Medicine, please sign up for the Clinical Research Staff Portal and Registry (Pennkey login required)
Center for Human Phenomic Science (CHPS)
The CHPS has child and adult specific components at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) and University of Pennsylvania, respectively, as well as joint components. The goal of the CHPS is to provide the resources, environment, operations, and training to support and promote high-quality clinical and translational research by qualified investigators. The CHPS is complex and can adapt to your research needs. View the CHPS website.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
The IRB reviews clinical research studies conducted by employed physicians and investigators at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), Penn Presbyterian Medical Center (PPMC), Pennsylvania Hospital – Penn Medicine (PAH), and Penn Medicine Princeton Health (PMPH). Chester County Hospital’s conversion to the Penn IRB is pending. The purpose of IRB review is to ensure research meets regulatory, policy, and ethical criteria to protect the rights and welfare of research participants. The IRB staff host office hours to help research teams navigate the process. They provide tools and templates to assist researchers as the write their protocols. View the IRB website.
Investigational Drug Service (IDS)
IDS is a research pharmacy servicing the Penn Medicine community. To promote maximum benefit and safety for research participants and patients, the IDS is charged with safe and responsible handling of investigational drugs and is responsible for maintaining control and accountability of investigational drugs used in clinical trials and under compassionate use protocols. IDS staff provide support to research teams who engage in clinical trials by storing and dispensing investigational drugs. Additional services include provision of randomization and blinding schema, creation of placebos, and compounding. Their website can be reached via the following url: View the IDS website.
Office of Audit, Compliance and Privacy (OACP)
OACP functions in partnership with the University and Penn Medicine to anticipate and manage operational, financial, compliance, strategic, and reputational risks; to ensure the integrity of Penn’s systems of internal control; and to ensure strong stewardship and management accountability at all levels.
Office of Research Service (ORS)
ORS provides oversight for the institution’s sponsored projects. The staff support faculty (and their staff) who submit research grants and are recipients of grant funding. Their website can be reached via the following url: View the ORS website.
The Pre-Award Administration team facilitates the grant application and the award negotiation process.
The Post-Award Administration team ensures that the financial management of research projects run smoothly, and that compliance needs specific to their funding source are met.
The Cost Analysis team negotiates federal Facilities & Administrative (F&A) and Employee Benefits (EB) rate agreements for all members of the research team.
The Office of Export Compliance helps research teams remain in compliance with laws and regulations.
Office of Research Support Services (ORSS)
ORSS is a Penn Medicine office which promotes the research endeavors of the Perelman School of Medicine Faculty. Their services are listed below. Their website can be reached via the following url: View the ORSS website.
Provides assistance in developing proposals to outside funding agencies.
Serves as a resource for the School of Medicine regarding sponsor policies and federal regulations.
Provides training in pre and post award grants management.
Oversees and provides support for PSOM's entire post award portfolio.
Research – Office of the Executive Vice Dean and Chief Scientific Officer (EVDR)
The Office of the Executive Vice Dean and Chief Scientific Officer supports the research and research training missions of the School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. In this regard, the office seeks to promote excellence in research and research education, and to support School of Medicine faculty in the creation and dissemination of new knowledge and the development of new therapies. View the EVDR website
Lancaster General Health Research Institute
For support related to trials where Lancaster General patients or providers are participating the Lancaster General Health Research Institute is a great resource.
Lancaster General Health Research Institute, part of the Office of Academic Affairs, supports research throughout the health system, offering research administration, medical and operations direction, data analytics, and compliance and quality assurance services.