George Brown Polytechnic is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and other Indigenous peoples who have lived here over time. We are grateful to share this land as treaty people who learn, work and live in the community with each other.
Submitting an Application
Researchers are required to submit their completed and signed application with supporting documentation to researchethics@georgbrown.ca.
Application Documents
Find the application and required documentation researchers must submit for ethics approval by clicking on the drop-down bars below.
- Application Form
Applications to the George Brown Polytechnic Research Ethics Board (GBP REB) will be processed in the order that they are received. Upon receipt of a complete application, a risk assessment is conducted to determine the type of GBP REB review required. Applications may be deemed eligible for delegated review if the proposed activities pose no more than minimal risk to participants. Applications posing more than minimal risk to participants will require full board review at the next REB meeting (see meeting dates in the Application Deadlines & REB Meeting Dates drop-down below).
A complete application to the GBP REB includes the following:
- Application form
- TCPS2: Course on Research Ethics (2022) certificate of completion for all researchers
- Data collection materials (i.e. survey text, interview questions, etc.)
- Information letter
- Consent form
- Recruitment materials (i.e. email text, poster, etc.)
- Submission Checklist
All applicants should familiarize themselves with the following college policies:
- Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans Policy
- Conflict of Interest in Research Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
Document Naming
All files must be labelled with the applicant’s last name followed by document type, and date in YYYY-MMM-DD format, each separated by a space.
For example, if the document is an application form completed by Barry Jones on January 1, 2024, the required format is: Jones REB Application 2024-Jan-01 or Jones_REB Application_2024-01-01.
- Research Approved by Other REBs
Minimal risk applications that have received approval from a REB at another accredited Canadian postsecondary institution may undergo a streamlined delegated review by the GBP REB.
Please submit the following documents to researchethics@georgebrown.ca:
- A copy of the REB approval along with the complete application (including supporting documentation)
- A copy of required revisions from the approving REB
- Multi-Jurisdictional Research Attestation Form
- TCPS2: Course on Research Ethics (2022) certificate of completion for all researchers
- Submission checklist
- Application Deadlines & REB Meeting Dates (UPDATED for 2025/2026)
Application deadline
(10 business days before meetings*)REB meeting date September 5, 2025
September 19, 2025
October 3, 2025
October 17, 2025
November 7, 2025
November 21, 2025
December 5, 2025
December 19, 2025
January 2, 2026
January 16, 2026
February 6, 2026
February 20, 2026
March 6, 2026
March 20, 2026
April 2, 2026
April 17, 2026
May 1, 2026
May 15, 2026
June 5, 2026
June 19, 2026
July 3, 2026
July 17, 2026
August 7, 2026
August 21, 2026
* Only required for projects that may pose Greater than Minimal Risks; Minimal risk projects will be reviewed as received
After Ethics Approval
Find forms and information for ongoing responsibilities after receiving REB approval by clicking on the drop-down bars below
- Amendments
Researchers must inform the GBC REB about any proposed changes to an approved research project. An ‘amendment’ is a written description of any change(s) to an ongoing, currently approved protocol. Amendments include any change to the study documents that affect scholarly intent, study design or human participant protection. Rationale for the change(s) should also be provided.
To request an amendment, please submit the following document to researchethics@georgebrown.ca:
- Adverse Events
An adverse event is an unintended or unfavourable occurrence that happens while research is being conducted or as a direct consequence of a research intervention. Researchers must inform the GBC REB about any adverse events that occur during an approved research project.
To report an adverse event, please submit the following document to researchethics@georgebrown.ca:
- Approval Extension
The GBC REB grants approval for a period of one year. If the approved research continues beyond the approval end date, the researcher must submit a request to renew the approval past the initial year.
To request an approval renewal, please submit the following document to researchethics@georgebrown.ca:
- Study Completion
Researchers are required to submit a Study Completion Form once approved research activities have been completed.
To request a study completion, please submit the following document to researchethics@georgebrown.ca:
Review Process
The Research Ethics Board (REB) review process has multiple steps, involves many stakeholders, and is ongoing throughout the entire project cycle.
Step 1: Application Submission – Submit the application via email to researchethics@georgebrown.ca.
Step 2: Administrative Review – Each application is reviewed by the Research Ethics Coordinator for completeness. Applicants will receive an email with any remaining items required prior to the application going to REB review. It will not be sent to the REB until the application documentation is complete. Please refer to the Submission Checklist to ensure the application is complete. Incomplete applications will delay the review process.
Step 3: REB Review – Each application is reviewed by the REB. If an application is minimal risk, it will be delegated for review by two REB members. Delegated reviews are assigned on an ongoing basis. If an application is greater than minimal risk, it will undergo full board review at the monthly REB meeting, See Application Deadlines & REB Meeting Dates, above. After the review, the applicant will be notified about whether any revisions or clarifications are required.
Step 4: Applicant Response to Reviewer Comments – The applicant must respond to the request for revisions or clarifications. Responses are submitted via email to researchethics@georgebrown.ca. The REB may follow up with additional requests for clarification if items are not fully addressed, or more information is needed.
Step 5: REB Approval – After all revisions and clarifications have been sufficiently addressed, the applicant will receive an approval letter.
We recommend submitting minimal risk projects at least 6 weeks before the proposed research start date to allow sufficient time for the review process, or any deadlines, to allow time for administrative review, incorporating feedback to finalize your application, initial review by the REB, and any response and resubmission(s) prior to approval.
Average REB Review Times
Type of Review | Step | Average Review Time* |
|---|---|---|
Delegated (Minimal Risk) | Administrative Review | 1-3 business days |
Delegated (Minimal Risk) | Initial REB Review | 10 business days |
Delegated (Minimal Risk) | Resubmission Review | 5 business days |
Full Board (Greater than Minimal Risk) | Administrative Review | 1-3 business days |
Full Board (Greater than Minimal Risk) | Initial REB Review | 15 business days |
Full Board (Greater than Minimal Risk) | Resubmission Review | 10 days |
*actual times may be impacted by number of submissions