CHREB - conjoint health research ethics board

CHREB Fee Structure Updates

Following a comprehensive review, the University of Calgary will be adjusting the Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (CHREB) fee structure for industry-sponsored research, effective July 1, 2026.  

The fee changes for industry-sponsored research are:

  • Introduction of a $1,500 (CAD) annual continuing review fee for each industry-sponsored study renewal. 
  • Increase of the REB Exchange (REBX) fee for UCalgary and UAlberta participating sites (pSites ) of $2,500 (CAD).

This change will only apply to industry-sponsored research that is overseen by the CHREB. 

All studies that fit the criteria, both new and ongoing, will now be charged the renewal fee upon submission of a renewal application. 

Updated Rate Structure

Beginning July 1, 2026:

New or amended contracts 

  • All new contracts will include the annual renewal fee of $1,500.
  • All existing contracts that undergo an amendment will be updated to include the annual renewal fee of $1,500.

Reduced rate option for existing contracts   

  • Researchers with existing contracts that do not undergo an amendment prior to the annual renewal date can choose between two options:

    • Pay a reduced rate of $750 for their next two annual renewals if needed, or,

    • Initiate discussions with their industry sponsor to amend their contract to include the full $1500 renewal fee immediately, if the industry sponsor agrees to this change.

    • This decision will be made at the discretion of the researcher. To streamline the administrative review, please submit a rationale for the request and supporting documentation to the REB with your renewal application.

REBX

  • Increase of the REB Exchange (REBX) fee for UCalgary and UAlberta pSites of $2,500 (CAD).

Review: CHREB Administration Fee for Industry Sponsored Research

 

My agreements qualify. What do I need to do?

Researchers are expected to advise their industry sponsors of the new fees as they would any other budget variation. 

UCalgary staff will not be contacting industry sponsors on their behalf.

If researchers cannot afford the new fees, they will have the option to request that their fees be waived. These decisions will be made at the discretion of the Office of the Vice-President (Research) on a case-by-case basis. Waiver requests can be made as part of the annual renewal application within IRISS.

Rationale for the Increase

Institutions across Canada vary in their fee structures, but this change will put UCalgary REB fees in a range consistent with other institutions across Canada. The University of Alberta is also proceeding with fee structure adjustments.

The current CHREB fee structure has remained unchanged since 2021. During this period, the cost of administering ethics reviews has increased due to inflation, increases in software licensing fees, and routine salary adjustments. The fee adjustment is intended to partially offset these increased operating costs. 

REBs are responsible for reviewing and overseeing research involving human participants. In addition to the initial ethics review, REB offices administer ongoing oversight of active studies, including annual continuing review submissions and processing renewal submissions each year for the duration of a study, which may extend for multiple years. 

From an operational perspective, applying cost recovery at the annual renewal stage is the most appropriate mechanism. Annual renewals occur on a predictable schedule and require ongoing review and oversight throughout the lifecycle of a study. 

Quick Links

CHREB
CHREB Administrative Fee Document
CHREB Other Resources
 

Questions?

General questions about the fee structure: 
rso.rebfees@ucalgary.ca

For questions about negotiating with Industry: 
CSM faculties: csmlegal@ucalgary.ca
All other faculties: legaladm@ucalgary.ca

When possible, please provide the PI name and IRISS REB ID# and use your institutional email (eg. UCalgary email).

CHREB

The Conjoint Health Research Ethics Board (CHREB) reviews applications from Researchers affiliated with the:

• Cumming School of Medicine
• Faculty of Kinesiology
• Faculty Nursing

Information About Abuse

The Research Ethics Boards and staff at the University of Calgary are service providers working hard to facilitate your research.

Consistent with the University of Calgary’s Code of Conduct, it is expected that all communications between principal investigators, research teams, research ethics unit staff and research ethics board members is professional and respectful.

Abuse will not be tolerated.