Minors Program

Minors Participating in Research Activities at Emory University

Emory University is committed to promoting science education, research exposure, and mentorship opportunities for young learners. In support of this commitment, minors may be permitted to participate in research-related activities at Emory University under appropriate supervision and in accordance with Emory Policy 7.21, Minors Participating in Research Activities. 

To ensure the safety of minors, compliance with institutional requirements, and appropriate oversight of research activities, all minors participating in research must undergo review and approval by the Office of Research Compliance and Regulatory Affairs (RCRA) before engaging in any research-related activities.  

For a downloadable infographic that summarizes the minors program, click the preview image to the right.

Who is Considered a Minor?

For the purposes of this policy, a minor is any individual under the age of 18 who is not enrolled as an Emory University Student. 

This includes, but is not limited to: 

  • High school students
  • Middle school students
  • Participants in summer research programs
  • Student interns, volunteers, shadowing students, or trainees
  • Individuals sponsored through laboratories, departments, schools, HR, or external educational organizations

RCRA approval is required before any research activities begin

No minor may begin research activities until RCRA approval has been received. 

Please note, a minor's: 

  • Employment status 
  • Volunteer appointment
  • Intern appointment
  • Departmental sponsorship 
  • Laboratory placement 
  • HR onboarding
  • Emory Temporary Services (ETS) placement
  • Compensation or stipend arrangement

does NOT contitute authorization to participate in research activities. A minor's participation in research activities requires prior review and approval by RCRA regardless of how a minor is identified, recruited, hired, appointed, or onboarded.

Sources of intake that require RCRA review include: 

  • Research laboratories
  • Academic departments
  • Schools and colleges
  • Human resources
  • Emory Temporary Services (ETS)
  • Summer and outreach programs
  • External educational institutions
  • Community or pipline programs
  • Volunteer and shadowing opportunities

Registration and Approval Process

Step 1: Complete the Registration Form

  • All minors seeking to participate in research activities must complete the Minors Registration Form
  • The registration package must include all required approvals and signatures, as applicable.

Step 2: RCRA Compliance Review

RCRA reviews submitted materials to:

  • Verify eligibility and completeness 
  • Assess proposed research activities 
  • Evaluate potential safety considerations 
  • Determine required approvals and training 
  • Confirm compliance with institutional policies 

Additional information may be requested during the review process.

Step 3: Training Completion

Prior to approval, all required training must be completed by both the minor and the supervising research personnel.

Training requirements may include: 

  • Laboratory safety training 
  • Biosafety training 
  • Radiation safety training (if applicable) 
  • Human subjects protections training (if applicable) 
  • Animal research training (if applicable) 
  • Research conduct and compliance training 
  • Any additional training required by the research environment or school/unit 
The Principal Investigator (PI) is reponsible for ensuring all required training is completed.

Step 4: Approval Issued

Once all requirements have been satisfied, RCRA will issue written approval. Research activities may not begin until written approval has been received from RCRA.

Prohibited Activities

For safety and compliance reasons, minors may not engage in activities prohibited by Emory Policy 7.21 or activities determined to present unacceptable risk. 

Examples of activities that may be restricted or prohibited include: 

  • Working independently without direct supervision 
  • Accessing hazardous materials without authorization and training 
  • Operating high-risk equipment without approval 
  • Activities involving prohibited biological, chemical, radiological, or physical hazards 
  • Conducting research activities before RCRA approval is obtained 
  • Any activity that violates applicable institutional, regulatory, or safety requirements 
Additional restrictions may apply based on: 
  • The minor's age 
  • The nature of the research 
  • The laboratory environment 
  • Safety and compliance considerations 

Responsibilities of Principal Investigators and Supervisors

Principal Investigators and supervising personnel are responsible for: 

  • Ensuring minors are registered and approved before participation 
  • Providing appropriate supervision at all times 
  • Confirming completion of required training 
  • Maintaining a safe research environment 
  • Adhering to all requirements of Emory Policy 7.21 
  • Immediately reporting any concerns, incidents, or deviations from approved activities

Important Compliance Reminder

Employment, appointment, volunteer, trainee, or compensation status does not replace or supersede RCRA approval requirements. 

Under Emory Policy 7.21, all minors must obtain RCRA approval before participating in any research activities. No research activities may begin until the required review has been completed and written approval has been issued.

Contact

For questions regarding the Minors Program, eligibility, required training, or the approval process, please contact researchcompliance@emory.edu

To register a minor for participation in research activities, please complete the Minors Registration Form