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The Research Ethics Service (RES) is one of our core functions and is committed to enabling and supporting ethical research in the NHS. It protects the rights, safety, dignity and wellbeing of research participants.

There are more than 80 NHS Research Ethics Committees across the UK. They exist to safeguard the rights, safety, dignity and well-being of research participants.

Are you looking for a voluntary role where you can make a real difference? Whether you’ve got experience of working in research, or none at all, we’re looking for people like you to join our Research Ethics Committees (REC) and help review vital health and social care research. #StepForward and get involved in approving exciting new research and apply today.

Under the UK Health Departments Governance Arrangements for Research Ethics Committees (GAfREC), each Research Ethics Committee (REC) within the Research Ethics Service, is required to adopt Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) approved by or on behalf of its appointing authority. The REC is required to act in accordance with its SOPs and is ultimately accountable to its appointing authority for its governance in this respect.

Flagged Research Ethics Committees (RECs) are RECs designated for review of particular types of application due to having relevant professional, academic and ethical expertise among the committee’s membership, including expertise acquired through training or previous experience in the relevant field of research ethics.

If your application is for ethical approval of a gene therapy clinical trial you must apply to the Gene Therapy Advisory Committee (GTAC).

This section provides additional detail on MoD and Higher Education RECs, which are not delivered by the HRA.

This REC Directory page provides a list of meeting dates for Research Ethics Committees (RECs) within the UK Health Departments’ Research Ethics Service.