Assent Form Template
Assent Form Guidance
For research projects involving children, the IRB requires consent from the parent/legal guardian and, if the children are aged 7 years or older, assent from the children.
Assent is defined as a child’s affirmative agreement to participate in research. (Failure to object is not considered assent.) The child should be given an explanation of the proposed research procedures in a language that is appropriate to the child’s age, experience, maturity, and condition.
The assent document should also discuss the study purpose, any discomforts or inconveniences the child may experience if he/she agrees to participate, and that participation is voluntary. If the child’s decision-making capacity is impaired, a researcher may propose to use a surrogate.