Central Research Review

Welcome to the MUHC Central Review. The objective of the central intake mechanism is to facilitate the initial submission of a human subject research project by providing researchers with a ‘one stop shop’ to simultaneously submit all documents required for the MUHC triple review, that is scientific, ethics and site-specific assessment (Resource) reviews.

Whether you are doing a retrospective study or a prospective study, whether it is a local study or a multicentre study, and whether you are the Coordinating Principal Investigator or the Local Principal Investigator, you can use the central intake mechanism to submit your study.

Your single submission will launch all the necessary reviews, and once all the reviews are complete, you will receive confirmation of review completion and approval to initiate the study at the MUHC.

Below are step-by-step instructions on how to submit a study through the central intake mechanism. For a detailed description of each step, contact information of the individuals involved in the review mechanism and other valuable information, please refer to the MUHC Central Intake User Manual [.doc].

Any time you need to refer to a document or to use a form, you are encouraged to go to our Complete Set of Forms page for access to the most recent version.

It is highly recommended to submit all required forms and document at the same time; otherwise it might result in a delay in the review process.

  1. Using the Required Forms Checklist [.doc], determine which forms you are required to submit.
  2. Follow the links in the Required Forms Checklist to the forms you need, download the forms, and save them on your computer.
  3. Complete all the forms electronically.
  4. Submit all the forms along with the required documents (Study Protocol, Consent/Assent Documents, Investigator Brochure/Product Monograph, contract, budget, favorable scientific review report of a recognized peer-review committee, etc.) via email to
    newstudy [at] muhc [dot] mcgill [dot] ca (newstudy @ muhc.mcgill.ca)

    Once the submission is done, you will receive an email response from the Central Intake Coordinator acknowledging receipt of you submission, providing you with an MUHC Study Code, informing you of the completeness of your submission and whether additional information or documents are required, and informing you of the REB to which you must submit your study.

  5. Print out the following completed documents, where applicable, and obtain required signatures:
    • Initial Ethics Application Form
    • M-Éval form
    • Application for Contract Review Form
    • Request to Access Health Record Form
    • Pediatric Science Review Form
  6. 6. Contact the coordinator of the REB to which your study was assigned to determine the number of hard copy submission packages required, the review date, and whether the Principal Investigator needs to be present.
  7. Compile the appropriate number of ethics submission packages and submit to the REB.
  8. Where applicable, send the original signed Application for Contract Review to the Office of Clinical Contracts, 500-2155 Guy Street.
  9. Where applicable, send the original signed Request to Access Health Record to the Director of Professional Service of your institution.
  10. Where applicable, fax the signed Pediatric Science Review Form to the attention of Alison Burch at (514) 412-4396.

Once these steps are completed, all the review processes begin. During the review, you will be contacted by the different reviewers with questions or recommendations. It is very important to respond to these as quickly as possible, in order to avoid any delays in the review process. After all the reviews are completed, you will receive all the approval documentation along with an MUHC Authorization letter releasing the study at the MUHC.

If you are missing any required documents (e.g. contract) you can still proceed with the submission, and submit the missing documents when you have them, through the same channels. Please note that delays in submitting required documents might result in delays in obtaining final approval.

If you have any questions or require assistance with the Central Intake submission, do not hesitate to contact Sheldon Levy, Central Intake Coordinator extension 36077 or Marwan Samia, Manager, CRCF at extension 43048.