The BC Cancer Research Ethics Board (REB) is affiliated with the University of British Columbia (UBC). We follow many UBC policies, procedures and guidelines (see UBC Policies & SOPs) and align with the UBC Clinical Research Ethics Board (CREB), with some BC Cancer-specific differences.
Everyone involved in research at BC Cancer is responsible for understanding and following these policies, procedures and guidelines. Researchers must also comply with all applicable regulations, including TCPS2 2022 and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations.
Research involving artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) must address ethical and scientific considerations specific to these study types. Researchers should complete the submission checklist below. If it is not included with a RISe application, the REB will provide it.
This guidance document outlines the ethical review requirements and procedures for chart reviews. It includes information about consent, waivers of consent, and post-approval activities.
Studies that use samples, data or services from established biobanks must include a completed Biobank Utilization Form. The form confirms the biobank's support for the REB application.
Refer to the guidance document for step-by-step instructions.
When phase I results are unavailable, combined phase I/II clinical trials may raise participant safety concerns. This guidance helps protect research participants and supports timely REB review of these submissions.
Important: Student researchers cannot serve as principal investigators (PIs) on BC Cancer research studies. See the guidance below for information about PI qualifications.
Effective May 27, 2024, the BC Cancer REB no longer requires clinical trial agreements to be attached to REB application forms.
Effective July 16, 2025, the BC Cancer REB no longer requires routine submissions of periodic safety line listing reports.
This document explains the five-time renewal limit and identifies which applications are within or outside the scope of this guidance.
Effective June 5, 2026, clinical trials no longer need to complete the sections of the annual renewal PAA coversheet that relate to optional studies and biobanking.
The BC Cancer REB considers the use of third-party vendor search companies inappropriate in the Canadian clinical trial context.
See the letter below for more information.
The BC Cancer REB and Continuous Improvement and Performance Team developed this guidance to help determine whether a project is considered research.
This guidance supports researchers preparing case reports. It explains key considerations and outlines situations where REB review may not be required.
Refer to the guidance document and infographic below for information about managing privacy breaches involving research participants.
All research study documents must be provided in a language that participants can understand.
This guidance includes resources, references, definitions and frequently asked questions.
The document describes the
scope, definitions and
ethics review process for multi-jurisdictional research involving human participants in British Columbia.
Health Canada's Special Access Program (SAP) may allow compassionate access to drugs that are not approved for sale in Canada. Health Canada reviews requests on a case-by-case basis for patients with serious or life-threatening conditions.
Researchers do not need to submit SAP requests to the REB. All regulatory requirements should be addressed directly with Health Canada.
Learn who is eligible to serve as a principal investigator on a BC Cancer research project.
- Clinical Research Ethics Board (CREB)
- Behavioural Research Ethics Board (BREB)
