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Research Ethics Unit:

Ethics review guidance, application procedures and approved forms.

Institutional Review Board for Biomedical Research Ethics (IRB)

Pursuant to Royal Order No. 7/B/9512 and Council of Ministers Resolution No. 321 approving the Law of Ethics of Research on Living Creatures and its implementing regulations, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University established a local research ethics committee, registered with the National Committee of Bioethics under H-01-R-059. Now known as the Institutional Review Board (IRB), it protects participants’ rights and oversees research safety.

Guidance for Researchers Seeking Ethics Approval

  • All studies and research conducted at the university must undergo IRB ethics review and receive official approval before any research activity begins.
  • Failure to comply with regulations and guidance may result in project suspension and accountability for the research team.
  • Apply annually to renew ethics approval if the research continues and renewal is required.
  • All forms and documents must be signed by the principal investigator or research supervisor.

Ethics Review Tracks

 

Exempt Review

For minimal-risk studies, such as questionnaires and anonymous record data.

 

Expedited Review

For studies involving non-surgical interventions and routine physical examinations.

 

Full Review

For clinical trials and human drug and device trials. A quarterly report is required.

Application and Required Documents

Email the research proposal together with all supporting documents and forms to:

IRB@PNU.EDU.SA

Required Documents

  1. Updated CVs of all participating researchers.
  2. Detailed research plan covering objectives, methodology, participant sample and ethical considerations.
  3. Data collection tool or questionnaire, including the questionnaire cover page.
  4. Official application form for the relevant review track: exempt, expedited or full.
  5. Research ethics training certificates for all research team members.

Approval Times: Exempt and expedited reviews take 5–7 working days. Full reviews take up to 20 working days.

Application Procedures and Approved Forms

For changes to the research proposal or the addition or removal of researchers after approval:

Dates published on the source page for the 2025 and 2026 cycles.
ProcedureApplication DeadlineWork Resumes
Exempt / Expedited ReviewThursday, 16 Dhu al-Hijjah 1446 AH
Sunday, 1 Rabi al-Awwal 1447 AH
Research AmendmentThursday, 25 Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH
Sunday, 10 Rabi al-Awwal 1448 AH

Approved Research Ethics Training Platforms

 

National Committee of Bioethics (NCBE)

National research ethics course in Arabic.

View details
 

PHRP

Protecting Human Research Participants training in English.

View details
 

GCP

NIDA Good Clinical Practice training in English.

View details
 

CITI Program

Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative in English.

View details

Contact the Research Ethics Committee

irb@pnu.edu.sa011-8242106011-8228994
NCBE Regulations and Standards

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