Researchers must ensure the continuation of their ethics clearance by completing an annual renewal report. Ethics clearance is valid for 12 months from the ethics clearance date. This report is submitted using the research ethics system.
Watch this video for an overview of how to submit the report.
Applications may remain active for as long as the study is in progress, as long as you submit your annual continuing review reports in a timely fashion and in the absence of factors that may alter the risk level (e.g., significant adverse events, major cumulative modifications and protocol deviations).
Failure to complete and submit the Annual Renewal report may result in suspension of ethics clearance.
If you receive a suspension notice, no further contact with participants is permitted unless there is a risk to the participant's safety.
Researchers may be required to close an application and submit a new application when the research has been modified substantially and no longer corresponds to the original application.
Greater than minimal risk research may require the submission of renewal reports at intervals less than 12 months, as deemed appropriate by one of the Research Ethics Boards.