Minors Participating in Research or Clinical Activities

I.  Age Restrictions

  1. Persons under 12 years of age are prohibited from entering laboratories.
  2. Persons aged 12-15 may not enter a Yale laboratory or participate in educational research or clinical activities, unless the activity is an approved Children and Youth program,  which may be (i) part of an organized laboratory tour conducted with permission of the faculty member responsible for the laboratory and the Department Chair or their designee, or (ii) a one-time educational or recruitment demonstration.  The sponsoring faculty member will be responsible for proper supervision and for providing any appropriate personal protective equipment for the visitors. Tours must be supervised at all times while on Yale premises, and tour participants may not participate in any research/clinical activities.       
  3. Persons who are 16 or 17 years of age may request an opportunity to participate in approved educational research and/or clinical activities under the individual mentorship and supervision of a sponsoring faculty member, as described below.

II.   Requirements for Working with Minors Aged 16 or 17 in Research/Clinical Activities

  1. The sponsoring faculty member must submit an application, including an appropriate supervisory plan, via EHS Integrator. Apply here: EHS Integrator
  2. The sponsoring faculty member must follow all relevant safety and compliance requirements, and adhere to the approved supervisory plan.
  3. The sponsoring faculty member must act as the minor’s direct supervisor or designate one other faculty or staff member to serve in that role.  Both the sponsoring faculty member and the designated supervisor, if any, must undergo background checks before the minor may begin the proposed research or clinical activities.  Information on this requirement can be found at https://programs-minors.yale.edu/FAQs-Labs .
  4. During the course of the research or clinical experience, minors may not be (i) alone in Yale research, clinical, or office space; (ii) one-on-one, out of the view of others with a faculty or staff member who has not had a background check; or (iii) present in Yale research, clinical or office space on weekends or outside the normal Monday-Friday hours of the sponsoring faculty member’s technical staff members.
  5. A minor whose permanent residence is not within daily commuting distance of Yale must show proof that, while participating in research/clinical activities at Yale, they will reside (1) within daily commuting distance of Yale and (2) with their parent or legal guardian.
  6. Healthcare services at Yale Health or elsewhere are not a provision of this program.  As such, minors must provide proof of medical coverage in the New Haven area for the period that they will be participating in research/clinical activities at Yale.
  7. All proposed research or clinical activities conducted by minors in University locations must adhere to the requirements or restrictions imposed by the provost or provost’s designee, the department or school, the Office of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), and where appropriate other compliance units, including the Human Research Protection Program (HRPP), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and HIPAA. Sponsoring faculty members may impose additional restrictions that they deem necessary for the safety of the minor and other members of the laboratory or work unit.
  8. The sponsoring faculty member must ensure that the minor does not enter the work area prior to completing ALL required training and ensure that the minor is appropriately supervised at all times by a qualified scientific supervisor.
  9. The sponsoring faculty member must obtain signed parental consent forms and liability waivers for all participants prior to allowing a minor to participate in any Yale affiliated research/clinical activities.  The sponsoring faculty member , program director or designee must ensure that these documents are uploaded into EHS Integrator.
  10. The sponsoring faculty member must resolve any outstanding compliance issues, as notified via email by EHS Integrator, before the minor application is further processed.
  11. The sponsoring faculty member must arrange a timely Yale appointment for the minor through the relevant department business office. Individuals approved for participation will be given a classification type of “Minor Student Research/Clinical” in the Sponsored Identity system (minors participating in research or clinical activities may not be entered into Workday). A Yale net ID will be required in order for the minor to take the appropriate training courses.
  12. The purpose of the minor’s participation in research/clinical activities at Yale is to provide the student with an introduction to an academic field of study and research and/or to offer the minor an educational mentoring opportunity. The research/clinical experience at Yale is solely for the educational benefit of the minor and does not constitute an employment relationship between the minor and Yale.  The minor may not receive any wages or other compensation for any of their educational activities at Yale.  A participant may receive a lump-sum stipend  to enable their participation in the activity.

III.     Prohibited or Restricted Materials or Processes for Minors Aged 16 or 17

1.  Minors Aged 16 or 17 who are engaged in Research/Clinical Activities may not work with any of the following materials:

Biological Materials:
  • Human pathogens Registered with the State of Connecticut DPH
  • Non-human primates
  • Permit required animal or plant pathogens or materials
  • Toxins of biological origin with an LD50 of < 100 ug/kg body weight
Chemical Materials:
  • Highly toxic chemicals – LD50 < 300 mg/kg oral-rat (e.g. – Osmium Tetroxide, Acrylonitrile, Acetonitrile, Sodium Azide) Pyrophoric materials
  • Explosives and highly reactive materials
  • Hydrofluoric acid
  • Controlled substances     
Radiation:
  • Radioactive Materials – Sealed and Unsealed Sources
  • x-Ray Producing Equipment
  • Open Beam Lasers - Class 3b or Higher
Physical Materials:
  • High voltage equipment (e.g. –  Electrophoresis)
  • Class 3 or higher shop equipment

2.  The following restricted materials require a special review and specific approval from the provost/designee or dean/designee, before a minor aged 16 or 17 may work with them:

Biological Materials:
  • Opportunistic human pathogens that represent low risk to healthy adults
  • Primary human and non-human primate cells
  • Human or non-human primate blood, body fluids or tissues
  • Toxins of biological origin with an LD50 of < 100 mg/kg body weight
Chemical Materials:
  • Known carcinogenic materials (IARC Group 1 or 2A)
  • Known human reproductive toxins and mutagens (e.g. –  Lead, Ethidium Bromide Powder and Solution)
  • Concentrated acids and bases
  • Large volumes of flammable liquids (>4 Liters)
  • Cryogenic materials
Radiation:
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Physical Materials:
  • High pressure vessels and equipment

Last updated: October 9, 2019