• Read all about the University of Malta Research Ethics Review Procedures found on the University Research Ethics Committee’s (UREC) website.
  
  
• If you are a researcher (also referred to as applicant) follow the guidelines outlined in the University of Malta Research Code of Practice. 
  
  
• If you are a researcher carrying out research with disabled people follow the Ethical Guidelines for Carrying Out Research with Disabled People. 
  
  
• We also advise you to refer to the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) available on the UREC website too.

• First access the URECA portal to familiarise oneself with its contents and requirements. 
• Fill in and submit the online URECA Form.
• The form on URECA guides applicants through 3 parts:
  • Part 1: Applicant and project details 
  • Part 2: Self-assessment & detailed evaluation
  • Part 3: Submission details
• In part 2, the detailed evaluation questions will be shown only to applicants who flag an issue in the self-assessment checklist. In such cases, applicants must elaborate on the issue flagged and seek FREC permission prior to data collection. In all other cases, once the form reaches the FREC for filing and audit purposes, the researcher may commence research directly.
• In case of re-submissions, applicants are to write their previous reference number/unique ID. Every time a new re-submission is submitted, a new unique ID is created.
• A list of the attachments that need to accompany the online form is available on the URECA form itself. The ones relevant to the research must be included in the required areas of the form. 
• If your research involves a cooperating institution (such as a school or hospital), you will need to respond 'No' to the relevant question on the REDP form (Q17). Additionally, you are required to obtain permission from the cooperating institution before being able to submit your URECA form.
• The supervisor will automatically receive a copy of the submitted form and is to ENDORSE the URECA form and all attachments. For FREC to process the application, the Principal Supervisor needs to ENDORSE that the form and attachments reflect the contents of the research proposal, which abides by the University of Malta Research Code of Practice.
• When URECA alerts the supervisor that a form requires endorsement, the supervisor can either click on the link provided in the email or else access the URECA platform from the base address and go to the section "Forms requiring endorsement".  The forms therein can be opened as read-only, and the attachments downloaded.  The supervisor can then endorse the form or send the form back to the student, and can include a message justifying the action.
• Consent forms should reflect the requirements indicated in Section 3.1.3 of the University of Malta Research Code of Practice.
• All attachments should be in PDF form.
• As indicated in the Research Ethics Review Procedures supervisors are responsible for the documents they endorse. Supervisors should ensure the URECA form and related materials are up to standard before forwarding their approval. This includes proper use of English and Maltese without grammatical errors and typos. 

The following are the scheduled FREC draft meeting dates. In order for your submission to be considered in any one of these dates, it should be sent up to seven days before the meetings: 

Thursday, 7 September 2023

Friday, 13 October 2023 (updated date)

Friday, 10 November 2023 

Friday, 1 December 2023

Friday, 12 January 2024

Friday, 9 February 2024 (updated date)

Friday, 8 March 2024 (updated date)

Friday, 12 April 2024

Friday, 10 May 2024

Friday, 14 June 2024 

Friday, 5 July 2024 

Friday, 13 September 2024

Forms will be accepted till one minute before midnight (23:59) up to seven days before the dates indicated. The supervisor’s endorsement is to reach the MAKS FREC by the given deadlines otherwise it will be considered as a late submission. Late submissions will be reviewed in subsequent FREC meetings. The dates above may be subject to change. 

• Professor Gorg Mallia (Chair) 
• Professor Holger Mitterer 
• Dr Aitana Radu 
• Dr Valeria Vanesio
• Dr Joseph M. Vella
• Mr Daniel Zerafa

• Ms Caroline Chetcuti (Secretary)

• When the digital form is marked as ‘For FREC Review’, applicants shall wait for ethical approval before starting the data collection.
  
  
• It is not correct for researchers to state that UREC has reviewed/approved their study. UREC encourages the use of the following statement or something similar as this is general and covers all cases including those where no FREC review is necessary: 'This research is in conformity with the University of Malta’s Research Code of Practice and Research Ethics Review Procedures.'
  
  
• Infringements of regulations and/or policies concerning ethics and data protection are matter for disciplinary action.
  
  
• For any questions regarding any issue/s related to FREC please contact us ONLY via email.