Human Research Ethics Office Guidance for Researchers during

Human Research Ethics Office Guidance for Researchers during COVID-19 Human Research Ethics Bulletin Research FAQ’s

We will cover: • COVID-19 related research § Multi-jurisdictional • In-person research suspension • Amendments/Modifications • Current processing timelines

Q. 1 Do I have to wait 4 -6 weeks for review of my COVID-19 related research project? As per the April 2, 2020 update on the HRE home page clinical and public health research to address the pandemic, will be prioritized for ethical review. Q 1. a. I have ethics approval from another institution for COVID-19 related research. Do I still need to apply for UVic ethics? If you are part of a multi-jurisdictional COVID-19 related research project, and there is an existing research ethics approval from another Canadian institution, we may allow a “bridging application” to be submitted on UVic-RAIS for review and approval. For more information about a “bridging application” please contact our office via email ethics@uvic. ca or ethicsassist@uvic. ca

Q. 2 My research involves in-person interaction. How do I proceed? New Studies: - All on and off-campus research that involves in-person activities, interactions are suspended until further notice The moratorium applies to: i) studies that were issued research ethics approval prior to March 20, 2020 and involve any inperson activities, ii) studies in-review. Exceptions to the moratorium may include special situations such as research arising from, or about COVID-19. * No new studies involving in-person interactions with participants and communities will receive a Certificate of Approval and in-person activities may NOT begin until further notice* Please contact ethics@uvic. ca about initiating COVID-19 research.

Q. 2 My research involves in-person interaction and is currently under review. How do I proceed? Studies under review: • Until further notice, only studies that do NOT involve in-person recruitment and/or data collection activities will be approved and issued a Certificate of Approval. • If you decide to make minor elective changes to replace all in-person activities with remote activities/formats, please do so now.

Q. 2 My research involves in-person interaction. How do I proceed? Amendments: - For paper based studies, please submit your Request for Modification form via email, cc’ing all team members - For online studies, please submit your amendment via RAIS If you intend to submit an amendment to your study, it is important to note: • At this time, the UVic HREB cannot approve any in-person research activities. • If you do not have time to submit minor elective changes* before engaging with participants remotely, you are permitted to make the changes without research ethics amendment when the change is necessary to eliminate an immediate risk to participants [TCPS 2 Article 6. 15]. o You will be temporarily granted a maximum window of 10 business days to submit an amendment that will be reviewed.

Q. 3. Will my research ethics application be delayed if the COVID-19 related projects are being prioritized? The Research Ethics Board continues to review all applications as they come in, and we are still reviewing within the 4 -6 weeks timeline. It is not our intention to "deprioritize" the review of non-COVID-19 studies (even as we may prioritize COVID-19 studies). As the COVID-19 situation is very fluid, these interim policies may be subject to change. We will continue to update you as necessary in future bulletins.

Questions? Contact Us Eugenie Lam, Human Research Ethics Coordinator hrethics@uvic. ca Kenna Miskelly, Human Research Ethics Facilitator hre@uvic. ca Jeta-Rugova Plakolli, Human Research Ethics Liason ethics@uvic. ca Joanne Mc. Lean, Human Research Ethics Assistant ethicsassist@uvic. ca