Research Ethics Board

Applying for REB approval

You must apply for REB review and approval before you conduct any research activities at Osler. To apply for REB review, you must:

• identify a principal investigator (PI)
• ensure all individuals conducting research activities have completed the necessary training (e.g. TCPS2, GCP, Health Canada Division 5), based on the study type
• obtain approval from the head of the department the research study will impact
• provide an REB approval letter from the lead REB site, if the research study is initiated elsewhere

When you are ready to submit your study for review, please provide:

• a completed REB initial application checklist
• a completed REB initial application form
• your study protocol and all supporting documents (i.e., consent form, surveys, data collection forms, master linking logs, scripts, etc.)
• copies of research training certificates

Email your submission to WOHSREB@williamoslerhs.ca.

REB consultation services

The REB offers one-on-one or group ethics consultations for staff, investigators, coordinators and students prior to and throughout the ethics review process. In a consultation, the REB can provide advice on:

• developing an ethically sound human research protocol during the design phase of a study (including multisite or complex projects);
• resolving ethical dilemmas that may arise through study planning and execution;
• navigating the REB review process, including guidance for researchers new to the REB review process who would like additional information before submitting their first application;
• making changes to REB-approved studies; and
• other human research ethics questions.

Please contact the REB to arrange a consultation.

Guidance for research during COVID-19

The REB has planned a modified reopen of selected studies to resume research activities. This plan aligns with the approach taken by Osler and follows:

• all applicable local, provincial and federal public health directives; and
• guidelines and direction from Ontario Health, which requires continued reassessment of activity based on local resources and regional COVID-19 activity.

Principal investigators should review the PI attestation and agreement (PAA) - resuming research activities for requirements, considerations and required signatures. Once the conditions can be confirmed as met and all required signatures are obtained, please complete and submit the PAA form to us at WOHSREB@williamoslerhs.ca. Include in the subject line your REB number, principal investigator's name and submission type.

Review period

Our REB will be operating as normal, with modified procedures as per SOP 501.002. We continue to make every effort to conduct reviews in a timely manner. There may be instances, however, in which reviews may take longer than usual. In some cases, reviews may be deferred until a later date. Clinical research studies that are part of essential clinical care and/or are related to the COVID-19 pandemic will be given priority.

Further updates will be posted on this page. You can also access:

• Frequently asked questions about research and COVID-19
• Our modified plan to resume clinical research activities