RAIS login & support

No. You can only work on one PAA at a time. The exception to this rule is the submission of the unanticipated event report form at any time after the original approval. 

If your study is close to expiring but you need to submit a request for amendments, you can submit the joint renewals with amendments form that allows you to submit your request for amendment and also provide you with annual renewal reporting on your study progress. 

Only Human Research Ethics administrators can change the Principal Investigator (PI).

If the PI is still at UVic and available to submit the request:

1. The PI will complete the notification of change of PI form, with signatures, and submit it with the amendment request form through RAIS. 
2. Ensure that any study documents (e.g. recruitment documents, consent/assent forms) get revised to reflect the change.

If the PI is no longer at UVic and unable to submit the request: 

1. The new PI will complete the notification of change of PI form, with signatures, and email it to the HRE office.
2. Once reviewed, the HRE office will change the PI and request that the new PI submits an amendment request form through RAIS.
3. Ensure that any study documents (e.g. recruitment documents, consent/assent forms) get revised to reflect the change.

How to submit an amendment in RAIS

Once the amendment is approved, the Human Research Ethics Board (HREB) will issue a new Certificate of Approval to the new PI (faculty or faculty supervisor).

Pre-reviews are preliminary reviews performed by the Veterinary Director that offer PIs the opportunity to have their AUPs consulted on prior to being formally submitted to the ACC. 

Pre-reviews provide valuable insight into items and AUP content that may be flagged by the committee during an ACC review. Additionally, they have been found to reduce the timeline to approval. 

Pre-reviews are available for both new and ongoing AUPs. SOPs are also eligible for pre-review, as supporting documents for AUPs. 

Submissions must be ready for pre-review four weeks prior to the ACC submission deadline for which you intend to apply, and are contingent on the Veterinary Director's availability. 

Note: Last-minute pre-review requests are unlikely to be accommodated.

Please email animalethics@uvic.ca expressing your interest in completing a pre-review. 

When eligibility is confirmed, submit your application via RAIS and inform animalethics@uvic.ca of your submission. 

Pre-review feedback will be available at least one week in advance of the next corresponding ACC submission deadline, to offer time for protocol updates and revisions prior to submission for ACC review. 

Lab and field research AUPs

Starting May 9, 2023, researchers must start using RAIS to create and submit their new research applications, specific to animal-based research projects conducted in a lab environment (Animal Care facilities and/or researcher lab facilities) or for projects that will combine lab and field components.

Starting Sept 21, 2023, researchers can also start using RAIS to create and submit new research applications that are specific to field research projects.

Teaching AUPs

Teaching AUP applications are in development for RAIS, and can continue to be submitted via email for animal ethics approval

Starting May 9 for new research AUPs, you must submit your lab research AUP application via RAIS.

Starting Sept 21, researchers must also submit new field research applications via RAIS.

The teaching AUP applications are in development for RAIS, and can continue to be submitted via email for animal ethics approval.

If you have questions about submissions and timing, contact the animal ethics liaison for guidance.

All faculty should be able to start an AUP application on RAIS.

If you are faculty and you don’t have the start application button on the animal ethics RAIS portal, contact the animal ethics liaison.  

Yes, the RAIS AUP application has been updated and revised to ensure researchers are compliant with CCAC (Canadian Council on Animal Care) and UVic policies. Many of the questions will be familiar but there are many new questions and information requirements.

An updated helpsheet for the RAIS lab and field research AUP application has been created. The helpsheet (see “Quick guides”) provides guidance for every section of the application including links to resources.

If you still have questions, contact the animal ethics liaison with your question and they will provide guidance.

The teaching AUP applications are in development for RAIS. Once application portals are available, there will be additional helpsheets available for guidance.

Starting Feb 2, 2024, RAIS AUPs can be amended with the "+Update" button on the AUP summary page.  RAIS supports full amendments and expedited minor amendments.

Renewal and completion options are in development for RAIS.

Starting Feb 2, 2024, RAIS AUPs can be amended with the "+Update" button on the AUP summary page. A PI must initiate the amendment. RAIS supports full amendments and expedited minor amendments.

Renewal and completion options are in development for RAIS.

PIs must submit all renewals and/or amendments to their approved applications. RAIS now supports full amendments and expedited minor amendments.

Renewal and completion options are in development for RAIS.

The Veterinary Director can approve an expedited minor amendment at their discretion on behalf of the ACC. The ACC Chair is notified and the expedited minor amendment is given final approval at the next ACC meeting.

 RAIS now supports expedited minor amendments.

The ACC meets monthly September through June. Consult the ACC deadline & meeting dates frequently for information on the meeting schedule and submission deadlines.