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Applying for an amendment

If you have submitted an ethics application via the online system - Phenix - you will need to apply for any amendment of that application online.  If you have submitted a paper application then please use the paper application process as explained below and NOT Phenix.

Applying for an amendment

It may become apparent once you have started your study that it needs to be amended. Changes might include:

  • changes to the design or methodology of the study;
  • changes to participant recruitment or involvement;
  • a change in the number of participants;
  • any change relating to the safety or physical or mental integrity of participants, or to the risk/ benefit assessment for the study;
  • changes to study documentation such as participant information sheets, consent forms, questionnaires, letters of invitation;
  • temporary halt of a study to protect participants from harm;
  • changes in funding arrangements;
  • any other change that would result in changes to the previously approved application form;
  • a change to the research end date;
  • changes to the research team.

What is the procedure?

For applications submitted via Phenix, please log on to the system to submit the amendment application.

For paper based applications (other than from the Faculty of Medicine and Health - please see note below), you will need to complete an amendment form, submit an updated copy of your Ethics form with changes highlighted, and provide copies of any other updated study documentation with all changes highlighted. Submit this for review by emailing the mailbox for the FREC or School REC. As the changes may present new ethical issues any changes to already approved projects will need to be re-reviewed by the original Ethics Committee. Depending on the nature of the amendment this will either be reviewed by the Chair or by the whole Faculty Research Ethics Committee. Once the changes have been reviewed you will be notified of the Committee's decision.

For amendments to studies which have been approved via the NHS but now come under UoL ethical review please submit a copy of your NHS application form along with your application for an amendment.

For informal advice please email ResearchEthics@leeds.ac.uk

Note:

Applicants from the Faculty of Medicine and Health should contact the Faculty Research Ethics and Governance Administrator as procedures differ in this Faculty.