Read all about the University of Malta Research Ethics Review Procedures found on the University Research Ethics Committee (UREC) website.

If you are a researcher (also referred to as applicant) follow the guidelines outlined in the University of Malta Research Code of Practice.

We also advise you to refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) available on the UREC website too.

First download the full replica of the Ethics and Data Protection (E&DP) form to familiarise oneself with its contents and requirements.

FREC guidelines

• List of documents to be submitted to FREC [PDF]
• FREC Functions and Operations [PDF]
• Good Clinical Practice [PDF]
• Distinction between Audit and Research [PDF]

The sample information/consent documents available on this website are being provided for the guidance of UM researchers. They reflect the requirements of the UM’s Research Code of Practice on information to be provided when obtaining consent from research participants. 

These samples are intended only for guidance and need to be adapted as necessary, according to the requirements of each specific study 

Kindly also note that external applicants not UM Staff or UM Students are charged a fee (EUR 95) and the FREC should only process an application if the fee has been paid. A copy of the receipt is to be appended with the application when this is submitted to the FREC.'

Kindly note that applications will be reviewed by FREC once payment is received.

You can download the full replica of the Research Ethics and Data Protection (REDP) form to familiarise oneself with its contents and requirements. URECA form [PDF]

Fill in and submit the University Research Ethics Committee Application (URECA).

The URECA form consists of three sections:

• Part 1: Applicant and project details
• Part 2: Self-assessment and details
• Part 3: Submission

For further guidance, have a look at the instructional videos. 

Read these important notes carefully

• Fill in Parts 1, 2 and 3.  If any of the questions in Part 2 are marked as ‘Yes / Unsure’ the application will be REVIEWED by the FREC before starting any data collection. In cases where none of the questions in Part 2 are marked as ‘Yes / Unsure’ the application will be received by the FREC for filing and kept for RECORDS and audit purposes. In this case data collection may start immediately. 
• Consent forms should reflect the requirements indicated in Section 3.1.3 of the University of Malta Research Code of Practice.  
• Applicants who will be asking the Office of the Registrar or/and Communications Office to disseminate their call for participants or to distribute questionnaires need to mark Part 2 no. 17 ('Cooperating Institutions') as 'Yes', and then submit the form to the FREC for review.
• All attachments should be sent in PDF format.
• The Principal Supervisor is to ENDORSE the URECA form and all attachments.  As indicated in the Research Ethics Review Procedures, supervisors are responsible for the documents they endorse.  Supervisors should ensure the URECA form and related materials are up to standard before forwarding their approval. This includes proper use of English and Maltese without grammatical errors and typos. 
• Once the URECA form and attachments are submitted, the supervisor receives it automatically. The FREC will only receive the application once the supervisor endorses it.

[PDF]

When the digital form is marked as ‘For FREC Review’, applicants shall wait for ethical approval before starting the data collection.

It is not correct for researchers to state that UREC has reviewed/approved their study. UREC encourages the use of the following statement or something similar as this is general and covers all cases including those where no FREC review is necessary: 'This research is in conformity with the University of Malta’s Research Code of Practice and Research Ethics Review Procedures.  If an application has been submitted for FREC review and approved, you may say that the research has received ethics approval.

Infringements of regulations and/or policies concerning ethics and data protection are matter for disciplinary action.

For any questions regarding any issue/s related to FREC please contact us via email.