The BC Ethics Harmonization Initiative works with a community of human research ethics boards (REBs) in the province to streamline processes.

Learn more about the collaborative review models, the application itself, and best practices and recommended resources when completing your research ethics application.

• Review models: Harmonized research ethics review
  • Minimal Risk Research + Above Minimal Risk Research
  • Clinical Trials Model
  • Specialty REB Review: How does it differ?
• PREP application sample
• BC Common Clinical Informed Consent Form (BC CCICF)
• Guidance
  • Data Management Plans
  • Patient Partner Guide
• Training

There are three review models used in British Columbia for harmonized research ethics review.

Each model produces a single collaborative review and issues a single Certificate of Approval.

Additional research approvals (such as operational approval or institutional letters of authorization) may still be required. This can happen concurrently or prior to commencing REB review.

Harmonized Review: Minimal Risk Research + Above Minimal Risk Research

• Guidance for Harmonized Ethics Review of Multi-Jurisdictional Research Studies (PDF)
• Harmonization Model Diagram – Minimal Risk (PDF)
• Harmonization Model Diagram – Above Minimal Risk (PDF)

Clinical Trials Model

• Clinical Trials Harmonized Review Pilot Model – Instructions for Researchers (PDF)

Specialty REB Review: How does it differ?

• Guidance for Children and Women’s Pediatric Research Ethics Board (PDF)
• Guidance for BC Cancer studies (PDF)

Check out the application questions before creating your submission. There are two main application types, driven by the answer to Section 4. Review if your study meets the definition of clinical research used by PREP.

• PREP Behavioural Research Ethics Application Form (.docx)
• PREP Clinical Research Ethics Application Form (PDF)
• Defn of clinical research and where to select clinical in application (PDF)

Use this standardized template for clinical research in British Columbia. The template and supporting guidance can help you create your informed consent form.

Take a deeper dive into the supporting material through the template and the guidance notes:

• 2023 BC CCICF template (.docx)
• 2023 BC CCICF guidance notes (.docx)

Work is underway to update and modernize the BC Common Clinical Informed Consent Form Template. Learn more.

Learn more about best practices for managing an existing application in PREP and recommendations to follow when creating and submitting your application.

• Guidance for Reporting Multi-Jurisdictional Research Studies for Research Teams (SAE) (PDF)

Data Management Plans

• Tri-Agency Research Data Management Policy

Patient Partner Guide

• Ensuring the Ethical Conduct of Patient-Oriented Research: A Guide for Researchers (PDF)
• Guidance for research ethics considerations in patient- and community-oriented knowledge dissemination: A tool for researchers (BC SUPPORT Unit) (PDF)
• Guidance for research ethics considerations in patient- and community-oriented knowledge dissemination: A tool for research ethics boards (BC SUPPORT Unit) (PDF)

Access centralized information on PREP and everything it can do.

• Video: Navigating harmonized research ethics