Multicentre Research

Monash University has implemented processes to minimise the duplication of ethical review. For more information, see National Statement on ethical conduct in human research 2007 Chapter 5.3.
Duplication is avoided by accelerated application processes for multicentre research and research conducted at the Department of Justice (Victoria) and a number of Victorian health service providers.
When Monash University staff and students work on research projects at other institutions these projects are considered multicentre research projects.
Multicentre research includes research projects:

• undertaken at more than one institution;
• conducted by researchers affiliated with more than one institution;
• conducted by Monash University staff at hospitals (see below for expedited approval at certain hospitals);
• conducted by Monash University researchers in a wide range of disciplines, involving collaborations with other Universities and corporations; and
• undertaken by staff new to Monash who have transferred with existing research projects.

Monash University researchers (staff and students) who have obtained ethical approval for a project from another Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) (the primary HREC) are also considered to be conducting Multicentre research.

If the research project has been fully reviewed and approval has already been obtained from another HREC approval must be obtained from Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (MUHREC) using Form MC which is an abbreviated form (except in the case of the Department of Justice (Victoria) and certain hospitals – see below: Special Arrangements)

Where MUHREC is the primary HREC, researchers should not use Form MC.

Note:  All researchers listed in the multicentre application must already be approved by the primary HREC. MC applications received where this is not the case will not be processed by MUHREC.

Download Multicentre Application Form (Form MC) (219 kb)

Submission requirements for Form MC
Researchers can submit Form MC at any time. Most applications are considered within 2 weeks of receipt. Researchers should provide a hard copy and electronic copy of the following:

• completed Form MC;
• the final version of the application form to the primary HREC;
• the Certificate of Approval from the primary HREC; and
• other relevant documentation from the other HREC.

SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS
1 Department of Justice (Victoria)
Monash University is pleased to announce that it has entered into an arrangement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to expedite ethics approval for human research involving both Monash and DOJ. Where multi-centre research involves both Monash and DOJ, then unless Monash and DOJ otherwise agree in writing, DOJ’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) shall be the primary HREC for that project.
Researchers will not be required to complete a multicentre form for MUHREC but need to comply with the following requirements.

Submission requirements
Once DOJ HREC has approved the human research the researchers should provide MUHREC with either a hard copy or an electronic copy of the following:

• the final version of the application form to DOJ HREC;
• the Certificate of Approval from DOJ HREC; and
• any other relevant documentation from DOJ HREC,
• a list of Monash personnel including their Monash staff /student ids and Monash email addresses.

MUHREC will then forward its Certificate of Approval for the research within 2 weeks.

2          Certain Victorian Health Service Providers
Monash University has entered into arrangements with Southern Health (for example, Monash Medical Centres, Dandenong Hospital), Peninsula Health (for example, Frankston Hospital), Alfred Health (for example, Alfred Hospital, Caulfield Hospital and Sandringham Hospital) and Cabrini Health to expedite ethics approval for human research conducted at their hospitals. If research is conducted at one of those hospitals, that research will be reviewed by the hospital’s Human Research Ethics Committee. Researchers will not be required to complete a multicentre form for MUHREC.

Submission requirements
Once the hospital HREC has approved the human research the researchers should provide MUHREC with either a hard copy or an electronic copy of the following:

• the final version of the application form to the hospital HREC;
• the Certificate of Approval from the hospital HREC; and
• any other relevant documentation from the hospital HREC,
• a list of Monash personnel including their Monash staff /student ids and Monash email addresses.

MUHREC will then forward its Certificate of Approval for the research within 2 weeks.
Some hospitals do notify MUHREC directly of the relevant ethics approvals.
Researchers may also be required to inform Monash of other regulatory requirements (e.g. insurance, radiation, gene technology, Clinical Trial Agreements (CTA) and Clinical Trial Notifications (CTN)).

Note
If a researcher holds a joint appointment with Monash University and with Southern Health, Peninsula Health, Alfred Health or Cabrini Health BUT the project does not involve: -

1. any funds from Monash University; or
2. any students from Monash University; or
3. other staff from Monash University; and
4. the research is being carried out in the researcher’s role at Southern Health, Peninsula Health, Alfred Health or Cabrini Health

then the project DOES NOT need the approval of MUHREC.

MULTICENTRE Amendment Requests
In the case of Multicentre projects where MUHREC is not the primary HREC, please forward to MUHREC a copy of the Approval of the Amendment from the primary HREC together with a copy of the amendment application form which was submitted to the primary HREC and any other relevant documentation (eg Explanatory Statements).