Once an application is submitted a validation check will be completed.
We aim for this to be completed in 1 working day. If no issues are identified, the sponsor will be notified via email that their submission is valid.
If issues are identified that prevent the application being confirmed as valid, these will be communicated to the sponsor. The sponsor will need to address these issues within 7 calendar days from when the initial submission was made.
If the issues are resolved in that timeframe, the submission will be confirmed as being valid.
If the issues are not resolved, the application would be categorised as invalid (meaning the sponsor would need to resubmit their application, making sure they address the validation issues).
The Research Ethics Committee (REC) will issue a decision or, if they cannot reach a final decision, they will request further information from the sponsor.
Sponsors will receive the final decision, or a request for further information, within a maximum of 30 calendar days from the application being confirmed as valid.
If the REC sends a request for further information, the sponsor will have up to 60 calendar days to provide a response. The sponsor can respond at any point within this time frame.
After a response to a request for further information is received, the REC will review the response and give the final outcome.
This will be done within a maximum of 10 calendar days of the REC receiving the response.