The mandate of the Research Ethics Board is to safeguard the rights, safety, and well-being of all research participants.

All research projects involving McMaster University, and Hamilton Health Sciences physicians, staff (including staff acting as investigators outside the Institution), students (i.e., research within the institution or using institutional resources), or patients, must obtain ethical approval from the HHS/FHS Research Ethics Board (REB) before research can begin. The REB is responsible, on behalf of the institution, for ensuring that all research involving human subjects under the auspices of its institution meets current ethical standards.

The REB reviews and approves research projects that meet acceptable ethical and scientific standards and for which adequate facilities and resources are available. The REB also provides advice on the ethical, scientific and technical aspects of planning research projects.

• HHS/FHS Members (revised Sept 16, 2011)
• Executive Committee
• Human Tissue Committee (revised Nov 3, 2009)
• Student Research Committee (revised Jul 12, 2010)
• HHS/FHS REB Terms of Reference