Official government website of the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 
Standing Subcommittees on Research Ethics
Subcommittees specialize in reviewing and approving research ethics, issuing ethical approvals, and monitoring researchers' compliance with post-approval requirements, in accordance with approved regulations and controls.
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When do you need ethical approval?
- Before starting any research within a scope that requires ethical review.
- For research addressing health/biological aspects or involving living organisms.
- For research conducted using laboratory animals.
- For research that may cause environmental damage.
- When the scientific journal or the supporting entity requires ethical approval.
What types of research require submission?
Includes, but is not limited to, research addressing human and health aspects, research conducted using experimental animals, and research that may cause environmental damage.
Steps to Apply for Approval (Concise and Clear)
Register as a researcher and take the custom test
Research Ethics Form (per discipline) + Informed Consent Form (Link 1)
3. Fill out the application form (Link 2) and attach the required documents (Link 3).
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply for ethics committee approval?
Before commencing any research that falls within the scope of ethical review, especially research that addresses health/biological aspects, involves living beings, or may result in environmental impact.
What types of research require submission to the committee?
What are the consequences of not getting approval from the ethics committee?
How long does the approval process take?
After getting approval, what should I do?
It is not permissible to directly search a person without obtaining informed consent as stipulated in the implementing regulations. Please refer to the requirements for informed consent via the designated links.
What systemic references are available for review?
The executive regulations for the Research Ethics System on Living Organisms and the Research Ethics System on Living Organisms can be accessed via the official links.
Standing Subcommittee on Bioethics and Health Research
A specialized committee for reviewing and approving the ethics of health and biomedical research, issuing ethical approvals, and monitoring post-approval compliance.
Scope of Jurisdiction (Examples):
- Research on humans or health data or biological samples.
- Clinical/laboratory studies with a health or biological dimension.
- Research on living organisms in the health/biosphere domain.
For general inquiries or technical support, please contact us through the following channels:
Standing Subcommittee on Applied Research Ethics
A specialized committee for reviewing the ethics of applied research related to science, engineering, computer science, etc., issuing ethical approvals, and following up on post-approval requirements.
Scope of Jurisdiction (Examples):
- Applied research in engineering/computer science/science.
- Projects involving the collection of data from individuals or entities (privacy/data protection).
- Experiments or models that may be related to user or environmental safety.
You can contact the Standing Committee on Health and Biological Research Ethics through the following channels:
Standing Subcommittee on Ethics of Theoretical and Humanistic Research
A specialized committee to review the ethics of theoretical and humanities research, including fieldwork, questionnaires, and interviews, and to issue ethical approvals and follow up on post-approval requirements.
Scope of Jurisdiction (Examples):
- Humanities, Social Sciences, and Educational Research.
- Surveys and interviews and field studies (informed consent/confidentiality).
- Research requiring additional controls related to data protection and participant confidentiality.