The long-awaited updated version of the Common Rule – the regulations safeguarding individuals who participate in research – was announced today by the US Department of Health and Human Services. The goal of the revision is to strengthen protections of research participants without adding undue administrative burdens for researchers, particularly in low-risk studies. The Common Rule revisions will inform the expert presentations at the Consortium's research ethics events on March 8-9, consisting of a national conference, "The Future of Informed Consent in Research and Translational Medicine" on March 8 and the University of Minnesota's "Annual Research Ethics Day" on March 9. These events will be webcast; for more information and to register, visit the Consortium's events page. The Annual Research Ethics Day on March 9 will conclude with in-person workshops and trainings on practical research topics. To learn more, visit z.umn.edu/researchtr