The Bureau accepts for review well-designed research proposals*. If you are interested in submitting a proposal:

1. Read the Belmont Report.
2. Read the BOP Program Statement on Research.
3. Familiarize yourself with Department of Justice regulations for protecting human subjects (28 CFR 46).
4. Complete a Researcher Statement (one for each researcher listed in the proposal).
5. Prepare a research proposal as described in the Program Statement (see additional instructions regarding informed consent).
6. Submit the complete proposal and Researcher Statement(s) to the appropriate BOP office (for more information, see the process described in the Program Statement or contact the IRB Coordinator).

If you have further questions about the process, please call (202) 307-3198 or e-mail info@bop.gov. Include your name, mailing address, and telephone number in any correspondence.

Please note:

If you are affiliated with a university or public/private research organization, you may be required to obtain approval for the project from your Institutional Review Board before it may be approved by the BOP. The approval process typically takes 12 weeks for an expedited review research proposal, so please plan accordingly. The Federal Bureau of Prisons does not award research grants.

* Note: medical and pharmaceutical experimentation are prohibited.