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Institutional Review Board · Centre for Medical Research and DevelopmentVerify a certificateirb@cmrd.info
CCMRD IRBEthical Review · Dhaka
Ethical review

How your study is reviewed

Every study involving people or animals needs clearance before it starts. How it is reviewed depends on its level of risk.

What we review

Studies that need clearance

This includes studies that only use existing records or stored samples.

Observational studiesSurveys, cohort, case-control and record-based studies.
Experimental studiesClinical and drug trials, and other studies that test an intervention.
Other studiesQualitative, mixed-methods, laboratory and animal research.
Review routes

Exempt or review required

The Secretary decides the route when checking your documents.

Lowest risk

Exempt

For studies with very little risk, such as anonymous records. No reviewer round; the IRB Super Admin gives the decision and an exemption certificate.

Most studies

Review required

Two or three reviewers assess the study. You answer their feedback in your panel until every reviewer confirms.

Route finder

Which route fits your study?

Answer four questions to see the likely route. The Secretary confirms the final route.

  1. Does the study test a drug, device or other treatment?

  2. Does it involve children, pregnant women, patients unable to consent or other vulnerable people?

  3. Will you collect new data or samples directly from people?

  4. Will the records or samples you use show who the participants are?

ExemptReview required
0 of 4 answered

Answer the questions

Your likely review route will appear here.

Fee

Review fee

Choose the category that fits your study when you apply. The fee is fixed when you confirm it, and you pay by bKash from your panel. Reviewers are assigned once the fee is paid.

Pricing and payment details →
  1. Trainees & Early-Career ProfessionalsBDT 5,000 · Graduate doctors; Graduates of any recognized university; Students currently enrolled in a postgraduate programme; and Applicants of equivalent standing
  2. Specialists, Faculty & Senior Professionals2% of the study budget (at least BDT 10,000, at most BDT 30,000) · Doctors holding a postgraduate degree; Consultants; Assistant / Associate Professors and Professors; Postgraduate degree holders from any recognized university; PhD candidates and PhD holders; other professionals; and Applicants of equivalent standing
  3. Corporate & Industry Partners2% of the study budget (at least BDT 30,000, at most BDT 60,000) · Pharmaceuticals, CROs, Biotech firms & Commercially Sponsored Research
  4. Exempted / Minimal Risk ResearchBDT 5,000 · Research involving anonymized secondary data, public records, archival specimens, or educational surveys with minimal risk; and protocols formally granted fee waiver status by the IRB Committee.
Review process

What happens after you submit

Common questions →
1

Submit & pay

You apply from your panel, pay the fee and receive a protocol reference number.

2

Check

The Secretary checks your documents, makes sure they are anonymized, and chooses the route.

3

Review

Two or three reviewers send feedback. Neither side sees the other's name. You reply in your panel.

4

Decision

When every reviewer confirms, the IRB Super Admin gives the final decision and your certificate appears in your panel.

The certificate is valid for one year, and anyone can check it on the verification page. After approval, you must report any changes, serious problems and yearly progress to the Board.

Not sure which route applies?

Tell the Secretary your study title and design. We will tell you what to prepare.

Ask the SecretaryApplication guide
FAQ