AAHRPP Awards Full Accreditation to Merck, MedStar Health, and Three Other Research Entities
Key Insights
The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) has awarded full accreditation to five new entities, including Merck & Co., Inc. and MedStar Health Research Institute (search).
An additional 21 organizations earned reaccreditation, joining more than 600 entities worldwide committed to AAHRPP's ethical research standards.
AAHRPP President and CEO Elyse I. Summers emphasized that each accreditation strengthens research protections and helps restore public trust in science.
The Association for the Accreditation of Human Research Protection Programs (AAHRPP) has awarded full accreditation to five additional research entities, the organization announced on June 30, 2026. Among the newly accredited are Merck & Co., Inc. (through its Merck Research Laboratories, Global Clinical Development division), MedStar Health Research Institute (search), and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences — a U.S. government institution whose decision to pursue accreditation drew particular commendation from AAHRPP leadership.
The five newly accredited entities are: MedStar Health Research Institute (search) (Columbia, MD); Merck & Co., Inc., Merck Research Laboratories, Global Clinical Development; MSD Korea Co., Ltd. (search), Global Clinical Trial Operations; TriHealth Inc. (Cincinnati, OH); and Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (Bethesda, MD).
These organizations now join more than 600 entities worldwide that have demonstrated adherence to AAHRPP's rigorous standards for high-quality, ethical research that prioritizes the protection of research participants. In addition to the five new accreditations, 21 more organizations earned reaccreditation during this cycle.
"In today's global research enterprise, each accreditation has enormous potential to enhance the quality of research, strengthen research protections, and help restore public trust in science," said Elyse I. Summers, AAHRPP President and CEO.
Summers highlighted the particular significance of the Uniformed Services University's pursuit of accreditation, especially given the current research environment. "This accreditation sends a deliberate, powerful message about the organization's dedication to safe, ethical research and AAHRPP's invaluable role in supporting that effort," Summers stated.
To earn and maintain accreditation, organizations must demonstrate that they adhere to AAHRPP's high standards for research, which include incorporating extensive safeguards throughout their research operations and committing to a culture of continuous improvement. In an increasingly global and collaborative research environment, accreditation status can provide added assurance and a competitive edge for organizations conducting clinical trials and human subjects research.
AAHRPP has now accredited research entities across the United States and in 16 other countries, including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates.