All research applications go through and operational an ethical review to ensure protection of the welfare, rights, dignity and safety of research participants and researchers. The review also looks to protect ABMDR’s reputation and minimise potential risks for claims of negligence made against individual researchers and the ABMDR.

ABMDR research evaluation is based on the requirements of:

• Research Governance and Ethics Advice
• National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research
• Privacy Act (1988)

All research should be conducted in accordance with these standards.

The ethical assessment is conducted by the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood Ethics Committee.

Initial ethics approval is for a period of three years, subject on meeting the reporting requirements.

Researchers are responsible for managing all approved research projects, independent of the level of risks, regarding amendments, reporting requirements and record keeping.

All applications must be submitted to ABMDR Research.

Some projects may be considered as LNR research in line with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research – Risk and Benefit.

LNR applications can be submitted at any time. The following list of documents must be part of the application:

• Research proposal including a summary of the research in lay language
• ABMDR Research Application for Ethics Assessment
• LNR Checklist

More than low risk

All research that involves more than low risk goes through the full review process. More than low risk application must submit the following documents:

• ABMDR Research Application for Ethics Assessment
• Human Research Ethics Application (HREA)
  The HREA can be accessed as a guest or as a registered user. Registering an account enables researchers to save applications in the system and to share applications with collaborators.
  Follow this link to get access to users guide and other resources

• Participant Information Form (if required)
• Research Protocol
• Participant engagement email and telephone scripts
• Copy of approval from researchers’ own institution’s Ethics Committee
• TGA clinical trial notification (if required)

Providing the relevant supporting documentation is an important part of the application. Ensure the signatures of all researchers are recorded and the application is free from typographical and grammatical errors.

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH

The ABMDR welcomes research proposals from transplant and donor centre members of the World Marrow Donor Association (WMDA). Requests from international centres to access donors or donor samples through the ABMDR must contain:

• A letter of request in English outlining the planned research and what is required from the ABMDR and its donors
• A copy of the research protocol or a summary of the research proposal (in English if available)
• Donor information and consent in English
• Evidence of ethical approval from local committees, in English

Visit the Monitoring page to learn the steps to follow once the application is approved.

Have any questions, please contact ABMDR Research.