The application deadline has passed.

We appreciate your interest in this pan-Canadian REB opportunity. Please reach out if you have further questions!

Background:

Currently, researchers who wish to conduct a multicentre randomized controlled trial (RCT) in Canada are required to get multiple research ethics boards (REB) approvals across the different research centres. This leads to lengthy delays in the approval process, and can delay the start times of RCTs in Canada.

Other countries worldwide (e.g., Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Spain, United Kingdom, United States) have adopted a single national REB approval process to improve the efficiency of conducting multicentre RCTs and avoid unnecessary duplication of work.

As part of ACT Canada’s mandate to improve the ecosystem for conducting clinical trials in Canada, we are holding an open competition to select a group to set up and run a sustainable pan-Canadian, distributive, single research ethics board (REB) review and approval process with strict timelines, for the initiation and conduct of multicentre randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in Canada.

Applicants can request up to $250,000 (CAN) in funding to help set up, initiate, and conduct the pan-Canadian, distributive, single REB review and approval process with strict timelines.

 

Eligibility:

For an application to be eligible, it must fulfill the following criteria.

  1. The group’s leadership positions must include an individual from at least 6 of Canada’s provinces and territories.
  2. The group submitting the application must have prior experience serving on or running an REB in Canada.
 

Deadline:

The deadline to apply is Friday August 16th, 2024 at noon ET

Application Process:

For full instructions on the application process, please see the Call for Proposals PDF. 

The application portal can be found here: https://surveys.mcmaster.ca/limesurvey/index.php/198275?lang=en

If you have questions about the application process, please reach out to us at: ACT.Canada@PHRI.ca

FAQ:

Q: What is the duration of the $250,000 funding award?

A: The funding period for the $250,000 CAD award is from the funding announcement date until the end of the ACT grant (August 2024 – March 2026). This award is intended to help set up, initiate, and conduct the pan-Canadian, distributive, single REB review and approval process. We expect the proposed pan-Canadian REB model to include a mechanism for self-sustaining funding in the long term.

From the call for proposals:

  • “Describe the approach to sustainability and equality: your proposed funding model to sustain your proposed pan-Canadian single REB system; and how your group will ensure equitable funding of qualified REBs that are part of this pan-Canadian, single REB review and approval process, with strict timelines.  [15% of the score]”