Concordia is committed to ensuring the compliance and the ethical integrity of all research done under its auspice. For research involving human participants, animals or radioactive, biological or hazardous materials and lasers, certification must be obtained prior to starting the research. Accordingly, grant funds cannot be released until the relevant certification has been obtained.

Compliance falls under the auspice of two Administrative Units:

• Research involving human participants or animals falls under the auspice of the Research Ethics and Compliance Unit
• Research involving radioactive, biological and/or hazardous materials and lasers falls under the auspice of the Environmental Health and Safety Office. For information, please consult the Environmental Health and Safety Office section.

The Ethics and Compliance Unit is available to provide Concordia’s researchers with services such as:

• Acting as liaison between researchers and the Research Ethics Committees
• Meeting with and guiding new researchers through the ethical review process
• Providing advice and support to researchers while completing the ethics submission
• Providing continuous support to researchers through out the duration of their research
• Providing workshops and information sessions

The University Human Research Ethics Committee (UHREC) ensures that any research involving human participants adheres to the research guidelines of the Tri-Council Policy Statement and to relevant federal and provincial policies.

The University Animal Research Ethics Committee (UAREC) ensures that any research involving animals adheres to the research and teaching guidelines of the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) and to relevant federal and provincial policies.

Contact the Research Ethics & Compliance office.