Scientific review is arranged by the Research Institute for research funded by granting agencies and at interdisciplinary meetings for research that is funded by other sources and requires REB review. Basic or laboratory-based research is reviewed when external funding is sought. Contract research is not subject to a defined scientific review process. The REB delegates performance of the scientific review within an established process but maintains ultimate responsibility for it. Issues relating to the scientific and ethical review process are raised below.
Effective research depends upon adequate funding.
As part of the REB process, scientific reviewers are requested to comment on the adequacy of the proposed budget. The Tri-Council Policy Statement imposes additional obligations on the REB to scrutinize budgets. Questions relating to the appropriateness of funding are largely linked to the implications of private sector funding. This section of the Report focuses on several issues that are central to the proper administration of research. The Task Force has identified the review of research contracts and the role of the Clinical Research Secretariat as key issues.