Research Ethics Program

Canadian Blood Services and its independent Research Ethics Board (REB) review all studies involving human participants conducted by or on behalf of Canadian Blood Services, including studies involving personal information (data) or biologic materials (products) collected by Canadian Blood Services.

Investigators must submit an application to have their studies approved. The review process includes the following steps:​

  • Step 1: Approval by Canadian Blood Services.​
  • Step 2: Approval by Canadian Blood Services REB, if required. The REB has three scheduled meetings per year (in early June, October, and March). Additional reviews can be organized throughout the year, as needed.​
  • Step 3: Execution of an agreement between Canadian Blood Services and the Principal Investigator/Organization, if required.​

The decision to approve a study depends on the information provided in the application. Investigators must share any new knowledge that changes this information with Canadian Blood Services through an amendment. Investigators must also inform Canadian Blood Services of incidental findings and privacy breaches.

Active Studies List

The Active Studies List includes details about studies that have been approved and acknowledged through the Canadian Blood Services Research Ethics Program. This list includes: 

  • Research studies that have been approved by Canadian Blood Services and the Canadian Blood Services Research Ethics Board. 
  • Quality Improvement/Program Evaluation studies that received approval from Canadian Blood Services only. 
  • External studies reviewed and acknowledged by Canadian Blood Services and Canadian Blood Services Research Ethics Board. 

Active Studies List

This list is updated regularly as new studies are approved and to remove studies as they are closed.

Research studies require proof of ethics training, TCPS 2: CORE (Course on Research Ethics), for the Principal Investigator and all study team members. Please include copies of your certificates with your new application, renewal or amendment to the study team (if not already provided for that specific study). For team members outside Canada, proof of ethics training will be whatever training is the accepted standard in that jurisdiction. 

If you have any questions about this requirement, please contact us at: CBSREB@blood.ca.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO?

Submit a new application

Investigators must complete one Part A and one or more Part B, depending on the nature of the application. Review the Application Guidelines and the Application Forms for details. Contact CBSREB@blood.ca for assistance.​

Application Forms​

Amend an approved application

​Investigators are required to notify Canadian Blood Services of any modifications to their approved studies. Modifications must first be approved by Canadian Blood Services and its independent REB, if required, before changes can be implemented unless subject safety is at risk. Modifications include, but are not limited to, changes to Principal Investigator, co-Investigator(s), or primary contact.

Renew an approved application

Canadian Blood Services approvals are granted for a period of one year and must be renewed on an annual basis. A maximum of four renewals may be granted (i.e., for an overall study period of five years).

Report an adverse event or incidental finding

Investigators are required to immediately report to Canadian Blood Services all serious adverse events occurring to a research participant enrolled in their studies. Incidental findings and minor adverse events must be reported within seven days.

Report a study/protocol deviation/violation

Investigators are required to report to Canadian Blood Services all Study/Protocol Deviations and Violations occurring during their study promptly. Deviations and Violations are an unplanned or unforeseen change to an REB approved process, protocol, or document. Deviations and Violations are different than Amendments in that they are generally isolated incidents and/or involve only a subset of participants and are not intended at the time to permanently modify a process, protocol, or document. If the deviation/violation requires a study modification, please also submit an amendment.

Close an approved study​

Investigators are required to report the termination of their studies to Canadian Blood Services.

Report suspected privacy incidents

Investigators are required to immediately (or within 24 hours) report to Canadian Blood Services any suspected privacy incidents involving a research participant’s personal information to privacy@blood.ca.

A suspected privacy incident is an event or situation (intentional or unintentional) that has or  may have resulted in the inappropriate collection, use (including access or modification), disclosure, disposal, or destruction of personal information.

Research Ethics Board Membership

The Canadian Blood Services Research Ethics Board is recruiting for the position(s) listed below. If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit your application as detailed in the position description below to CBSREB@blood.ca.

Each position will be advertised for a minimum of one month and will remain posted until a suitable candidate has been found. All applications will be acknowledged by the Research Ethics Program secretariat. 

Posted on May 16, 2025: Volunteer Law Member

Posted on July 10, 2024: Researcher Member

The current Chair of the Canadian Blood Services Research Ethics Board: Heather A. Sampson.

If you have any questions about the Research Ethics Board at Canadian Blood Services, please contact us at: CBSREB@blood.ca. 

For general enquiries about the Research Ethics Program and Research Ethics Board at Canadian Blood Services, please contact us at: CBSREB@blood.ca