Complete and submit your ethical review application

If your research involves animals, fish, or invertebrates, visit the University of Manitoba's Office of Research Services Animal Care website to become aware of your animal care responsibilities as a graduate student. This site contains information on animal user training courses/seminars and wet labs, animal use protocol and course registration forms, and compliance guidelines.


Does your research involve bacteria, viruses, plasmids, recombinant DNA, animal tissues, radioactive materials, or other biohazards? If yes, visit the
U of M Biosafety Program website. Here you will find information on biosafety training sessions (dates and registration), and resources such as the U of M Biosafety Guide.


If your research involves human subjects, human tissue, human stem cells, or data collected on human subjects, visit the U of M Human Ethics website to familiarize yourself with the various Research Ethics Boards (REBs) and procedures for obtaining REB approval prior to commencing your research. This website also contains the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS) and an on-line TCPS tutorial. The University of Manitoba's policy involving Human subjects can be found here.

Ask your advisor to explain to you the standard procedures in your department for obtaining ethical approval for animals, humans, or biosafety. Your advisor will offer advice on the proper procedures for completing and submitting the ethical review application and providing appropriate attachments. Work collaboratively with your advisor to assure that your application accurately reflects your ultimate research goals. You may also ask your advisor for permission to review applications that have been submitted by him/her or his/her students for additional guidance. Your advisor will be listed on the ethics application as Principal Investigator. You will be listed as co-investigator. Faculty advisors are ultimately accountable for the ethics of research conducted by their graduate students.

After you have submitted your application, you should expect the ethical review process to take at least 5 or 6 weeks and note that incomplete or sub-standard applications take longer. When your ethical application comes under formal review, you should stay in close contact with your research advisor in case the Committee or Board requests changes to your application. Discuss all changes with your advisor.