Ethics and Compliance
All research studies in the institution are to be carried out in compliance to protocols and applicable regulatory guidelines. PIs who have been awarded grants must obtain approval from the relevant research compliance authority before research activities can start.
However, PIs who wish to expedite the opening of a project account for purpose of research staff recruitment or procurement pending application/receipt of approvals from selected compliance offices may do so by providing the necessary declaration and undertakings.
The table below provides information on whether account activation can proceed pending application/receipt of the relevant research compliance approvals, for quick reference. PIs are encouraged to refer to the Grant Endorsement Form and the websites of the respective Research Compliance Offices for further details or clarification.
| Research Project Involves |
Type of Research Compliance |
Prior approval required before account activation? |
Details |
|
Laboratory-Based Research,
Field Research, and/or
Research involving Diving Activities |
OSHE Risk Assessment |
Mandatory for account activation |
1. Laboratory based research projects are defined as those involving the use of chemicals, biological agents, radioactive materials/equipment, research animals, heavy machinery or high voltage equipment; more information pertaining to the safety and regulatory requirements of laboratory researchers can be found in the YLL SoM Safety Manual.
2. Non Laboratory based research projects are defined as those involving purely computational work or conduct of information surveys.
3. OSHE approval is necessary for all laboratory-based research. To apply , please submit your application to the Online Risk Assessment System.
4. PIs with the Laboratory OHS Certification need not submit a new application. See more details here.
|
| Human Subjects |
IRB Approval
DSRB Approval |
Not necessary at point of account activation |
Account activation can proceed if PI declares that work involving human subjects will only be conducted at the later part of the project. The declaration can be made in the Grant Endorsement Form.
|
| Animals |
IACUC Approval |
Not necessary at point of account activation |
1. Account activation can proceed if PI declares that animal experimentation will only be conducted at the later part of the project. The declaration can be made in the Grant Endorsement Form.
For more information, please contact NUS IACUC, Dr John Foo (email dprfooj@nus.edu.sg)
2. If animal work/specimen will be carried out/obtained from external institution/s, approval/s from both the external institution/s and NUS IACUC are required.
*Research protocol Involving Animal Use & Care in Singhealth facilities requires review and clearance by Singhealth IACUC.
Singhealth IACUC Contact: iacuc@singhealth.com.sg
3. Guidelines on the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes - Download
|
| External Collaboration |
Research Collaboration Agreement (RCA) or
Contract Research Agreement (CRA) |
Not necessary at point of account activation |
A Research Collaboration Agreement (RCA) or Contract Research Agreement (CRA) is required when a PI collaborates and/or receives funding from an external party and/or there is a likelihood of inventing, creating or developing new Intellectual Property in the research project. These include local or overseas partners from industry, private and public companies, statutory boards, universities or other institutions.
Account activation can precede finalisation of a RCA with the named external collaborator. PI need only complete ILO's Statement of Undertaking Form.
Contacts:
Patent Administration: ilobox3@nus.edu.sg
Contracts Administration: ilobox4@nus.edu.sg |
| Conducting Research in Malaysia |
Approval from the Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister's Department of Malaysia |
Not necessary at point of account activation |
Staff who wish to conduct research in Malaysia are required to seek approval from the Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister's Department of Malaysia before doing so. Failure to do so would constitute a violation under the "Regulations for the Conduct of Research in Malaysia". Please go to the Malaysia Economic Planning Unit website to download information paper on the rules for conducting research in Malaysia.
|
| Conducting Research in Thailand |
Approval from National Research Council, Thailand (NRCT) |
Not necessary at point of account activation |
Staff who wish to conduct research in Thailand are required to seek approval from NRCT before doing so. Please visit NRCT's website for the application forms and regulations.
|
| Conducting Research in Other Countries |
Necessary approvals (if any) |
Not necessary at point of account activation |
PI must check and ensure that necessary approvals (if any) from the relevant authorities are obtained and/or research compliance met before commencement of project in the said country(ies).
|
Others
1. Research Data Management Policy
The policy applies to all NUS faculty members, staffs, students and any other persons at the University engaged in research. Click here to download the policy.
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