Animal Research Ethics Applications

TUT employees, and associates wishing to conduct research or teaching activities on animals, animal products or animal derived data should familiarise themselves with the TUT Policy on Animal Research Ethics and associated SOPs as well as with SANS10386:2021 (Ed. 2) before completing their AREC application.

Final animal research ethics approval must be received prior to commencement of any research or teaching activities which involved animals, animal biological products or animal derived data.

Please note: In case of postgraduate studies, the responsibility for the animal research ethics application and post approval monitoring reports lies with the principal investigator / supervisor. Postgraduate students should not communicate with the TUT AREC directly unless the responsible supervisor has approved the communication and has been cc’d into the email.

Apart from completion of the AREC application form, a complete research proposal, proof of recent animal research ethics training, informed consent documents, supervisor CVs, gatekeeper permissions from the relevant organisations and other documents such as MOUs and Material Transfer Agreements as well as a Section 20 permit and Nature Conservation permit where applicable. The list of accompanying documents must be completed and submitted with the application form.

The following link will lead to the TUT AREC application form including a list of documents: 2026 AREC Application form.doc

Expedited Review

Expedited review can be motivated by the principal investigator for studies classified as minimal risk which require urgent approval. Eligibility for expedited review is determined by the Committee in line with the Standard Operating Procedures.

How to make amendments requested by AREC after review

If the TUT AREC requests amendments to the protocol, the applicants must respond by means of a table which addresses each request individually. Changes must be highlighted in the Research Proposal as well as in the TUT AREC application form. Both must be submitted together with the tabulated list of amendments.