How to apply for research ethics board approval

Research ethics board (REB) applications are reviewed by the REB at a scheduled monthly meeting, or in an expedited manner, depending on the level of risk associated with the study. You are encouraged to contact the research ethics office for guidance with completing REB applications, and to get the application forms.

Full board review

For research studies that involve more than minimal risk to study subjects: non-therapeutic (X-rays, blood samples, colonoscopy), or therapeutic (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy). A complete application package for full board review includes one original and seven copies of:

• Application checklist for full board reviews
• Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network (TAHSN) Human Subjects Research Application
• Research protocol summary
• Research protocol
• Informed consent form, if applicable
• Detailed budget
• Supplementary materials, if applicable (i.e., questionnaires, assessment tools, advertisements for recruitment, documentation from other REBs, case report forms)
• Operational Impact Analysis Form
• Principal investigator's curriculum vitae (if not already on file with research department)
• Investigator's brochure (for clinical trials)
• Invoicing information for industry-sponsored studies
• Confirmation that the industry contract has been submitted to research department c/o Dr. Manuel Gomez .

Expedited review

For research studies that are considered either minimal risk and noninvasive (e.g., retrospective chart reviews, non-intrusive questionnaires or surveys, non-invasive assessments, use of existing samples), or involve only current standards of care, or have had prior approval from a TAHSN institution's REB. A complete application package for expedited review includes one original and two copies of:

• Application checklist for expedited reviews
• Toronto Academic Health Sciences Network (TAHSN) Human Subjects Research Application
• Research protocol summary
• Research protocol
• Informed consent form, if applicable
• Detailed budget, if applicable
• Supplementary materials, if applicable (i.e., questionnaires, assessment tools, advertisements for recruitment, documentation from other REBs, case report forms)
• Operational Impact Analysis Form
• Principal investigator's curriculum vitae (if not already on file with research department)