Important note: All applications to the DERCs should be submitted through their usual route and not via the iRIMS-IRB as this system is meant for applications for the NUS-IRB’s review.
From 1 June 2019, faculty research that qualifies for an Exemption may be reviewed and approved by a Departmental Ethics Review Committee (DERC). This applies to social, behavioural and educational research (SBER) that is of minimal risk, but excludes any human biomedical research (HBR) that falls within section 3 of the Human Biomedical Research Act (HBRA).
From 1 November 2022, faculty research that is externally funded by MOE, A*STAR, NRF or NMRC up to a grant quantum of $180,000 can be reviewed by a DERC, provided the research also meets the criteria under point 2.1 of the Guidelines (IRB-Guide-022).
Research that can be reviewed by DERCs:
| Student research that, | Faculty research that, |
- is construed as "research";
- is excluded from the HBRA;
- is of minimal risk;
- involves vulnerable populations and/or deception (see IRB-Guide-020 on use of deception in research);
- involves use of lucky draw in lieu of reimbursement for participation in the study, where the conduct of the lucky draw or research fulfil the criteria as stated in the NUS-IRB's guidelines for lucky draws;
- is not part of a faculty member's research project already subject to review by NUS-IRB;
- does not involve any testing of a medical device or health product as defined in the Health Products Act.
- has no funding, is self-funded, or funded by internal NUS grant/funding.
| - is construed as "research";
- is excluded from the HBRA;
- is of minimal risk and qualifies for an Exemption;
- does not involve vulnerable populations and/or deception (see IRB-Guide-020 on use of deception in research), or sensitive topics;
- involves use of lucky draw in lieu of reimbursement for participation in the study, where the conduct of the lucky draw or research fulfil the criteria as stated in the NUS-IRB's guidelines for lucky draws;
- does not involve any testing of a medical device or health product as defined in the Health Products Act; and
- has no funding, is self-funded, or funded by internal NUS grant/funding.
- From 1 November 2022, faculty research that is externally funded by MOE, A*STAR, NRF or NMRC up to a grant quantum of $180,000 can be reviewed by DERCs, provided the research also fulfils point 2.1 of the Guidelines (IRB-Guide-022).
- For all other external grants/funding, please submit the application to the NUS-IRB.
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Please read all
DERC Guidelines and Resources below on what research qualifies for DERC review
.Commonly encountered issues - Research that cannot be reviewed by DERCs:
- If the research does not meet the criteria for DERC review e.g. student research that is externally funded, or faculty research that recruits vulnerable population e.g. children, the research should be submitted to IRB.
- Research involving data from human subjects in China, Hong Kong or Macau should be submitted to IRB for review. (See IRB News Alert 37)
- Research requiring a waiver of parental consent cannot be reviewed by a DERC and should be submitted to IRB (see Guidelines below).
This is a non-exhaustive list.
- For all research reviewed and approved by a DERC, the NUS-IRB contact details should not be reflected on the Participant Information Sheet and Consent Form (PIS&CF). For an independent opinion regarding the ethics of the study and rights of research subjects, the contact details of the approving DERC should be reflected accordingly.
- Requests for statements of concurrences should be submitted to the IRB only after the research is completed, and after the PI has assessed that the results are publishable.
List of DERCs with Contact Details Updated on 30 March 2023
