From the President and CEO

Steadfast in our commitment to research participants, science & you

Whether you’re newly accredited, reaccredited, or not-yet-accredited, most likely you’re familiar with some of AAHRPP’s fundamental principles. One standard worldwide. Quality, ethical research. Collegiality. Collaboration.

For almost 25 years, these principles have protected research participants, guided discovery, and supported the research community around the globe. That has not—and will not—change.

If anything, as our community faces a firehose of affronts, it’s more important than ever that we continue to recognize, support, and applaud those working in HRPPs every day to keep a sense of sanity and safety for individuals involved in the research enterprise.

I hope those of you who attended our 2025 AAHRPP Annual Conference felt the embrace of that support firsthand. I also want to make sure those of you who were unable to attend feel that support as well. Even more important, I want to assure you that it will endure. We will continue to reach out our arms, literally and technologically, to the HRPP community.

AAHRPP has a proud history of stepping up at critical junctures. We owe our existence to founders who came together during another period of crisis, seeking to raise the bar and do right by the volunteers who make research possible. We have been upholding and expanding our founders’ vision ever since. We’re certainly not about to stop now when the research enterprise needs AAHRPP—and you—more than ever.

There will be times, of course, when we will be tempted to give in to frustration and, even, fear. At those moments, I ask you to hold fast to what remains true:

Our community’s responsibility and commitment to behave ethically remains evergreen and unshakeable.

• AAHRPP standards and AAHRPP accreditation remain invaluable. In the last quarter alone, 19 organizations attained reaccreditation. And we have more new applications in the process than at any time since prior to the COVID pandemic.
• A peer-driven, educational approach benefits organizations pursuing accreditation and the HRPP community as a whole. That’s one of many reasons we continue to attract site visitors who also are exceptional AAHRPP ambassadors.
• AAHRPP will continue to earn your trust and support you in both traditional and innovative ways. Together, our community will help fill the gaps created by funding cuts at the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP), the termination of the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections (SACHRP), and the impact of other federal actions.

Simply put: Our ethical responsibility to human beings who participate in research is not lessened one iota. Neither is our commitment to you and the essential work you will continue to do.

With utmost appreciation,

Elyse I. Summers, JD

AAHRPP President and CEO