Applying for
Ethical Review
Step-by-step guide to IRB approval for research involving human participants at VinUniversity.
Prepare Your Required Documents
IRB Application Form
- Shortened form — minimal risk studies
- Full form — moderate / high risk(s)
- Submit MS Word + signed & sealed scanned version
Consent Form
- Use Short or Long Consent Template
- Translate into Vietnamese if participants are Vietnamese
- Custom forms must cover all points in the VinUni template
Verified CVs
- Verified CVs by authority
Project-Specific Documents
- Research proposals
- Questionnaire / survey
- Any other study-specific materials
Submission & Review Process
RMO Preliminary Review
RMO verifies completeness of submission.
Forward to ERC
RMO forwards application to VinMec–VinUni ERC.
ERC Evaluation
VinMec–VinUni ERC reviews the study.
Final Approval Letter
Stamped & signed letter issued by ERC Chair.
Expected Decision Timelines
Understanding Your Approval
Valid Approval
Only a stamped & signed letter from the ERC Chair is accepted. Research is subject to regular monitoring for continued compliance with approved protocols.
No Retroactive Approval
Before final ERC approval, contacting participants, collecting or analyzing data are unapproved and cannot be used in the study.
Requesting an Amendment
Modifying an Approved Study?
Fill out the Amendment Approval form and Details of Changes form. Submit all documents to RMO before implementing any protocol changes.
IRB Requirements for External Partners
Working with External Partners
Partners are encouraged to follow the VinUni IRB review process
If partner has existing IRB approval, submit approval letter & documents to RMO
RMO consults VinMec–VinUni IRB to determine if internal review is still required