All Erasmus University Rotterdam researchers can apply for ethics review through their faculty Research Ethics Review Committee (RERC) / Internal Review Board (IRB). Together with the faculty Data Steward and Privacy Officer, these ethics committees review and provide (binding) advice on submitted research projects regarding research ethics as well as privacy and research data management.
The aim of the ethics review process is to help researchers protect research participants, as well as others involved, and to minimise the ethical risks associated with their research. This requires reflection on, and explanation of, ethical considerations in the form of an ethics application. The ethics review takes place before the start of data collection, the recruitment of prospective participants, and/or the usage of existing datasets.
When to submit an ethics application
Each RERC / IRB uses its own discipline-specific procedure. In line with EUR policy, an ethics review is required for research that involves elements which include (but are not limited to): human beings, (special categories) of personal data, or non-EU countries.
Research conducted by EUR researchers that falls under the Dutch Medical Research Involving Human Subjects Act (WMO) needs to undergo ethical review by a Medical Ethics Review Committee (METC). This is the case when: 
- It concerns medical scientific research and;
- Participants are subject to procedures or are required to follow rules of behaviour.
For more information, please visit the CCMO website.
Research conducted by EUR researchers that involves animals needs to undergo ethical review by the Animal Welfare Body (Instantie voor Dierenwelzijn (IvD)).
How to submit an ethics application
To submit an ethics application, EUR researchers can use the Ethics Monitor platform. For more information about the ethics review process at EUR, researchers can go to the Research Support Portal on MyEUR:
- Log on to the EUR-network using your credentials.
- Open your web browser and go to my.eur.nl.
- Select 'Erasmus University Rotterdam'.
- Once you are on your dashboard, select the menu 'Pages' on top of the webpage next to 'My dashboard'. It should display 'Research Support Portal' among other menu options. Select it to enter the Research Support Portal.
Resources
Code of Ethics for Research in the Social and Behavioural Sciences involving Human Participants (accepted by the Deans of Social Sciences in the Netherlands, 2025)
EU Grants – How to complete your ethics self-assessment (effective 13 July 2021)
Ethics in Social Science and Humanities (effective 5 July 2021)
Ethics and Data Protection (effective 5 July 2021)
Links to related content
Informed consent | Erasmus University Rotterdam
Research Data Management ERS | Erasmus University Rotterdam
Contact information
| Committee | Email address | Contact person |
| General | ethics@eur.nl | Tijs Gelens |
| ESSB-DPECS | ec-dpecs@essb.eur.nl | Tijs Gelens |
| ESSB-DPAS | dpas-ethics@essb.eur.nl | Tijs Gelens |
| ESL | ethicsreview@law.eur.nl | Tijs Gelens |
| ESHCC | ethicsreview@eshcc.eur.nl | Jing-Yi Magraw |
| ESHPM | research.reviewboard@eshpm.eur.nl | Jing-Yi Magraw |
| ISS | researchethics@iss.nl | Jing-Yi Magraw |
| ESPhil | ethicsreview@esphil.eur.nl | Jing-Yi Magraw |
| ERIM (RSM and ESE) | erim-re@erim.eur.nl | Ludovica Cecilia |
| IHS | ethics@ihs.nl | Jing-Yi Magraw |
FAQ
The ethics review process is intended for EUR researchers, however each faculty can determine whether research conducted by students for educational purposes requires ethical approval as well.
EUR's faculties are responsible for their own regulations regarding the composition and procedure of the RERC/IRB.
Every RERC/IRB consists of several faculty-affiliated researchers, including a Chair. Each of these committees is supported by an Ethics Secretary. The Faculty Data Steward and Privacy Officer provide additional advice and expertise.
Ethics applications are reviewed, independently and anonymously, by at least two members of the RERC/IRB.
In the unlikely case that approval cannot be granted, the Dean (or Rector in case of ISS) will be advised and will decide whether the research can start.