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Salus IRB is the stronger choice for research programs that specifically require a non-profit, consultative IRB. For US-based studies that need fast, transparently priced review, here is how Elemental IRB compares on the dimensions that matter.
| Feature | Elemental IRB | Salus IRB | Bottom line |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expedited turnaround | 3–5 business days (published) | Not publicly listed; often multiple weeks (typical) | Elemental IRB commits to a published 3–5 business day expedited timeline; Salus IRB does not publish a standard expedited turnaround. |
| Full board turnaround | 5–10 business days (published) | Not publicly listed (typical) | Elemental IRB publishes a 5–10 business day full board timeline; Salus IRB's turnaround is not published. |
| Pricing transparency | Published online | Custom quote per study | Elemental IRB lists prices online; Salus IRB pricing is quote-based. |
| Expedited price | $1,500 (published) | Not publicly listed | Elemental IRB's expedited review is a published $1,500; Salus IRB requires a quote. |
| Full board price | $4,000 (published) | Not publicly listed | Elemental IRB's full board review is a published $4,000; Salus IRB requires a quote. |
| Amendment fees | Minor included; major $500 flat | Often billed per amendment (typical) | Elemental IRB includes minor amendments and charges a flat $500 for major ones; Salus IRB amendment fees vary. |
| Continuing review | Included | Often billed annually (typical) | Elemental IRB includes continuing review; Salus IRB typically bills it separately. |
| Review model | Rolling review | Scheduled board cycles (typical) | Elemental IRB reviews on a rolling basis; large IRBs often use scheduled board cycles. |
| Digital portal & tracking | Fully digital with real-time tracking | Portal availability varies | Elemental IRB provides a fully digital portal with real-time tracking; Salus IRB portal capabilities vary. |
Salus IRB's strength is its non-profit status and consultative, heritage-driven approach. Elemental IRB is a commercial IRB built for speed and budget certainty: a published 3–5 business day expedited timeline, rolling review, flat public pricing, and a fully digital portal with real-time tracking.
Salus IRB does not publish a standard public price list; fees are quote-based. Elemental IRB publishes flat rates — $1,500 expedited, $4,000 full board — with minor amendments and continuing review included and major amendments a flat $500, so costs are predictable before submission.
Choose Salus IRB when a non-profit IRB with a consultative style and a long institutional heritage is specifically required.
Choose Elemental IRB when the priority is fast, published-price review for US-based studies — expedited approval in 3–5 business days, flat pricing from $1,500, included minor amendments and continuing review, and a fully digital portal with real-time tracking.
Neither is universally better. Elemental IRB is the stronger fit for fast, transparently priced US studies, with expedited review in 3–5 business days and flat pricing from $1,500. Salus IRB is the stronger fit for programs that specifically require a non-profit, consultative IRB.
Salus IRB does not publish standard IRB pricing; fees are typically custom-quoted per study. Elemental IRB publishes flat rates of $1,500 expedited and $4,000 full board. Competitor figures are illustrative — request a quote from Salus IRB for exact pricing.
Often yes for single-site US studies. Elemental IRB's published flat pricing ($1,500 expedited, $4,000 full board) includes continuing review and unlimited minor amendments, with no per-investigator or expedite surcharges. Salus IRB pricing is quote-based, so totals can run higher and harder to predict.
Elemental IRB publishes a rolling-review timeline: expedited approval in 3–5 business days and full board in 5–10. Salus IRB does not publish a standard turnaround, and large IRBs often run multiple weeks. Confirm current timelines with Salus IRB directly.
Choose Salus IRB when a non-profit IRB with a consultative style and a long institutional heritage is specifically required. For fast, published-price US review with a fully digital portal, Elemental IRB is typically the better fit.
Comparison reflects Elemental IRB's published service commitments and publicly available information as of June 2026. Competitor figures are illustrative and may vary — confirm current terms directly with the provider.