Policy Procedures & Guidelines

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Research Compliance

The Office of Research is responsible for ensuring compliance with the regulations of Alfaisal University. The following guidelines are to assist Faculty in preparing research proposals as well as providing an overview of the processes and procedures followed during application & award phases.

Faculty must comply with relevant statutes or regulations for the protection and welfare of researchers, human subjects, the public, laboratory animals and the environment. Research involving the use of Biohazardous Material, Human and/or Animal Subjects must be submitted to the appropriate Committee(s) for review and approval. Funding will not be granted for research which has not been approved.

Human Subjects

Medical research is subject to ethical standards that promote respect for all human beings and protect their health and rights (World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki 2000).
Approval for research involving Human Subjects can not be initiated prior to application and submission of related documentation and consent forms to the designated Ethics Committee at the facility where the research will be conducted.
Approval is granted for a specified duration and must be renewed to ensure continuation of research. It is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator to submit a progress report in accordance to the Committee guidelines for review and approval. In some instances, projects that have not obtained approval before the expiration date are terminated.
Any modifications to a research protocol, consent forms, or administrative matters in addition to reporting of adverse events must be submitted for approval by the Principal Investigator to the respective Committee(s).

Animal Subjects

Research involving the use of animals is subject to compliance of ethical practices and standards which ensure their proper care, use and humane treatment. Approvals must be obtained from the External Review Board (ERB) available at each collaborating facility were the proposed research will take place. The ERB is responsible for reviewing and approving all research activities involving the use of animal subjects before a project is initiated. Research which does not receive approval from the ERB will not be funded.
Laboratories are maintained by the facility administration that regulates and ensures compliances to its rules and regulations.

Environmental Health and Safety

It is the duty of faculty members conducting research to take necessary measures to promote and secure safe and healthy working practices and environments. Use of rDNA, biohazardous materials, or other agents must be detailed in the research protocol. Review and approval must be obtained from respective committees in facilities where the proposed work will take place. Proposals that have not received prior approval will not be recommended for funding.

The following links outline essential local and international standards for patents, intellectual property, and research compliance for research involving human subjects; animal subjects, rDNA, and biohazardous material:

The Saudi Patent & Intellectual Property Law
National Committee for Biological and Medical Ethics

The Saudi Patent & Intellectual Property Law

National Committee for Biological and Medical Ethics

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