Women's College Research Institute's Research Ethics Office supports the development and management of research projects and grant proposals, as well as appropriate accountability reporting, and in the dissemination and application of research findings. It also provides support for women's health students at Women's College Hospital and the University of Toronto.

Research Ethics Board (REB)

The Research Ethics Board oversees all research involving human participants conducted under the auspices of Women's College Hospital to ensure that it meets the highest scientific and ethical standards in order to protect patients, investigators and the institution. All research involving human participants within or on behalf of Women's College Hospital must be approved by the Research Ethics Board before initiation of a research project.

The Research Ethics Board is responsible for:

• Ensuring that all Research proposals involving human participants or human materials being conducted at or under the auspices of Women's College Hospital meets the highest ethical and scientific standards;
• Ensuring that all protocols have a favorable risk/benefit ratio for research participants and respect a person’s right for self-determination and autonomy;
• Ensuring equitable distribution of the benefits and burdens of Research;
• monitoring on-going Research activities at Women's College Hospital to ensure that ethical standards as outlined in the Tri-Council Policy Statement  are maintained throughout the course of investigations;
• Recommending policies and procedures governing ethical conduct of research at Women’s College Hospital;
• Acting as a resource on matters of research ethics for Women's College Hospital.

Requirements for education in research ethics at WCRI **NEW as of January 2013**

WCRI has recently joined the Network of Networks (N2), an alliance of Canadian research networks and organizations working to enhance national clinical research capability and capacity. N2 provides a common platform for sharing best practices, resources and research-related content to ensure efficient and high-quality research, integrity of clinical practices and accountability.

More information on course requirements and step-by-step instructions on how to access the web-based courses.

Research Grant Management

Financial administration of awards and grants is managed by the WCRI grant co-ordinator in collaboration with the WCH's finance office, and overseen by the director, research operations. Grant administration functions include opening accounts, transfer of funds, reimbursement of expenses, annual financial reports to agencies and changes to accounts.

If you have questions about the grant administration process please contact Helen Pham at 416-351-3732 ext. 2180. Forms for establishing a research account and forms for other accounting functions are available here.

Research Contracts/Agreements and Proposals

All researchers requiring an institutional signature for their proposals must submit a WCRI Research Activity Submission Form at least two weeks in advance of the grant deadline. This form is used for all grant and award applications including applications on which Women’s College investigators are co-applicants. Grant submissions will not be signed and approved without a completed submission form.

If you have questions about the administrative review of new research proposals, the institutional signature process, or pre-award assistance with grant application budgets, please contact research manager Diana Raymond-Watts at 416-351-2535.