All research involving humans performed at UHN requires Institutional Authorization (IA) prior to the conduct of the research. IA is granted on a per-protocol basis by the Executive Vice President of Science and Research or designate once all requisite approvals have been obtained.
The determination of whether a particular activity requires IA depends on two factors:
- Determination of Whether the Activity Constitutes Research Involving Humans
Does the activity:
a) Constitute research?
b) Does the research involve humans, human data, or human biological specimens?
For the activity to require IA, the answers to both a) and b) must be Yes. If you have any questions concerning a) or b), please contact the UHN REB.
- Determination of Whether the Institution (UHN) Is Engaged In the Research
Is UHN engaged in the research? UHN is engaged in the research if the research occurs:
a) under its auspices, or
b) within its jurisdiction
The research occurs under UHN’s auspices but not within its jurisdiction when the study doesn’t use or access any UHN resources, but UHN’s employees or agents are materially involved in the study, wearing their “UHN hat” (i.e. – using their UHN appointment, affiliation, title or designation).
The research occurs within UHN’s jurisdiction when the research uses or requires access to UHN resources (human resources, financial resources, physical resources, intellectual resources, regulatory resources).
If you have any questions concerning whether UHN is engaged in the research activity you'd like to conduct, please contact Grants and Contracts Services.
For more information about the IA process, contact CAPCR.
For more information about the ethics review process, see the Ethics Contact page.
