Applications

Is your project research?

• Guidance on distinguishing between research and other activities such as audit and service evaluation 

Approval requirements

• Does your project require ethical review by a Research Ethics Committee?
  
• Requirements for approval by other bodies
  

Using IRAS

• Integrated Research Applications System (IRAS).

Site assessments

• Site-specific Assessment at non-NHS sites and R&D permission for NHS sites.

Booking and submitting your REC application

• How, where and when to book and submit your application
  

After submission

• What happens after you have submitted your application.

Attending a REC meeting

• What to expect when you attend the REC meeting.

After ethical review

• Progress reports, substantial amendments and other required notifications following approval

Resubmissions and appeals

• What to do if the REC gives an unfavourable opinion.

Providing feedback

• Give us feedback on your experience of the ethical review process

Guidance Directory

• A searchable directory of documents and links

Frequently asked questions

• FAQs about the NHS ethical review process
  

Glossary

• A glossary of terms, acronyms and abbreviations.

Proportionate Review

• Information on availability of Proportionate Review

 HRA Ethics Officer Pilot

• The Health Research Authority is conducting a pilot to consider whether the introduction of ethics officers can improve favourable opinion rates and thus reduce timelines and the administrative burden on researchers and committees.