Requests to Conduct Research

The Fresno Unified School District (FUSD) recognizes the value of high-quality research for advancing the field of educational practice. Any research conducted within the district that is not a regular part of district employees' official duties or conducted by individuals from external organization or institution must be approved in advance by the district’s Institutional Research Board (IRB). This includes research proposals from district employees or students outside the district seeking an advanced degree and research by outside professionals or agencies. The purpose of the District's IRB is to protect the rights, health, and privacy of human subjects participating in research.

Only research proposals that present a clear and direct benefit to the District such as informing practice and policy, not merely intended to advance knowledge, will be considered for approval. Research proposals should be well-designed, relevant to educational practice, and aligned to district goals. The district approves a limited number of studies annually, and we are limited in our ability to provide access to student data. Research proposals are carefully reviewed to determine approval: quality of writing, clear methodology/methods, copies of instrumentation, consent and assent forms (if applicable), level of risk to human subjects, burden to district (how much time is required of students and/or staff), participants (e.g., small sample, large scale, students, staff), benefits to district, and possible disruptions to instructional time.

Instructions for Submitting a Proposal

1. Please complete the FUSD Online Application to Conduct Research (Microsoft Form) and email a signed FUSD IRB Affidavit of Non-Release by Researcher prior to submitting your proposal application to Ricky Vang at Ricky.Vang@fresnounified.org.

2. Email your research proposal addressing all required elements outlined in the FUSD IRB Guidelines to Ricky Vang at Ricky.Vang@fresnounified.org.

 

Please review our IRB FAQs for more information.

The FUSD IRB Committee only reviews applications on the following dates:

• September 19, 2025
• November 14, 2025
• January 16, 2026
• March 15, 2026
• June 5, 2026

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The FUSD IRB Committee will NOT make any exceptions for applications received after the review dates above. The IRB Committee may decline, or approve the proposed project for a period of one year or less. Research proposals that span multiple years, the researcher must re-obtain approval each year. Researcher shall certify that they will use no school, district, or persons’ names in the publication of findings without the expressed written approval of the Superintendent or designee.