Ethics Home

Introduction

Eastern Health employs a fee structure for the consideration of research proposals carried out by the Eastern Health Research and Ethics Committee. These fees are in line with those charged by other similar institutions in this State. The National Statement indicates:

 “Institutions that individually or jointly establish Human Research Ethics Committees should adequately resource and maintain them. Resourcing should be sufficient to enable HRECs:

• to satisfy the requirements for sound ethical review;
• to communicate well with researchers;
• not to charge fees where doing so would discourage research the institution has an obligation to support.”

(Section 5.1.26, the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, 2007)

Payment of Fees for ethical review

Fees are paid into a designated account and are used to defray the costs associated with the administration and resourcing of the Research and Ethics Committee.

The payment of fees will not compromise the integrity of the process of ethical review or monitoring of approved research. Higher fees will not be charged for expedited review.

In situations where an applicant is unable to pay the required fee a written request to waive the fee may be made to the Eastern Health Chief Medical Officer prior to study submission. Documentary substantiation should be provided for consideration.

Fee review

The fee schedule and payment process will be reviewed every 12 months.

Current Fee Schedule – last reviewed in July 2008

Payment Process

• Download and complete a Compliant Tax Invoice or Authority to transfer fee form (internal project only)

• Payment by cheque, credit card or internal funds transfer

• Submit (1) and (2) with submission documents to the Research and Ethics Office by submission deadline for that month.