The process for submitting a new staff research protocol for approval by the DRC and HREC is described here.

This is applicable to all staff in the SPH.

You can download the pdf here and please review the SPH DRC pointers for new protocol submissions

Note: Student research that is not for degree purposes should follow the staff process and requires the PI to be a staff member in the School.

 

New protocol process_staff

 

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The process for submitting a new degree student research protocol for approval by the DRC and HREC is described here.

This applicable to PhD and Masters students.

You can download the pdf here and please review the SPH DRC pointers for new protocol submissions

Note: Student research that is not for degree purposes should follow the staff process and requires the PI to be a staff member in the SPH.

 

New process for degree students
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You can download the SPH and DRC ethics application submission dates here

Note that expedited review protocols can be submitted at any time, however we do recommend adhering to the DRC and HREC deadlines for full committee review meeting dates. If your motivation for expedited review is declined your application will go to the next HREC full committee meeting.

 

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Research Ethics Training Requirement – What You Need to Know

In line with the current National Human Research Ethics guidelines, the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) has introduced a mandatory ethics training requirement for all investigators conducting research with human participants, their data, or samples at UCT. Note that this is not specific to UCT and is a requirement for all human subjects research in South Africa.

1. Who must complete ethics training?

All investigators listed on research protocols

  • All staff and researchers (including principal investigators, co-investigators, supervisors)
  • Postdoctoral fellows
  • All students conducting research (undergraduate, postgraduate, honours, master’s, PhD)
  • Non-UCT collaborators

2. What research does this apply to?

All types of health research: quantitative, qualitative, clinical trials, case reports, audits, database research, systematic/scoping reviews, etc.

3. When does this requirement apply?

  • Effective 1 January 2026, the HREC will not accept new protocol submissions or annual progress reports without proof of valid research ethics training.

  • Certification must be renewed every 3 years.

4. What do you need to?

Training must be completed before submitting new HREC applications or annual progress reports.

  • New protocol applications:

    • These must be submitted to the DRC as usual. All new protocols that will reach HREC on or after 1 January 2026 must include training certificates (obtained within the past 3 years) for all investigators

  • Annual progress reports:

    • These do not come through the DRC but are submitted directly to HREC. All progress reports submitted from 1 January 2026 must include training certificates (obtained within the past 3 years) for all investigators

5. Plan to avoid delays with your applications

Complete your training or confirm that your current training is acceptable and valid.

  • Certification obtained within the past 3 years will be recognised if valid as of 1 January 2026.

  • Ensure that all students and investigators on protocols for which you are PI have completed the relevant training.

6. What training counts?

Preferred UCT training:

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) - Available on the SuccessFactors Learning Platform (free for UCT staff, postdocs, master’s, and doctoral students). 
http://www.successfactors.uct.ac.za/

Highly recommend completing all modules but the HREC required modules are:

  • Module 4: Research Involving Human Participants

  • Module 5: Managing and Sharing Human Research Data

Other accepted training:

  • TRREE (Training and Resources in Research Ethics Evaluation) https://elearning.trree.org/

    Online course (recommended for undergraduate and honours students, or anyone without SuccessFactors access). Required modules: 1-3

  • TCPS 2 (Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans) – https://tcps2core.ca/welcome
     
  • CITI Program courses on Human Subjects Research and Responsible Conduct of Research

Note for non-UCT investigators: All investigators listed on the protocol must submit proof of ethics training. Collaborators who have a valid ethics training within the past 3 years may submit this for HREC review. Those who have not completed ethics training in the past 3 years should complete one of the alternative courses listed above. 

7. Additional training required for clinical trials:

Clinical trials researchers must also maintain valid SA GCP (Good Clinical Practice) certification.

8. Support and queries

 

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