The Nova Scotia Health Research Ethics Board (REB) has the authority and resources to review research protocols that will be conducted within Nova Scotia Health. Board membership includes representatives from each zone who meet via video conference on a weekly basis. The Nova Scotia Health REB is a paperless enterprise, and the ROMEO database is the digital platform used for online submissions to complete your research ethics review process. We generally aim to have an initial review completed within 10 business days of submission.
Research vs quality improvement vs REB review exemption
Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish which projects re research, which are quality improvement, and which are exempt from REB review. The following tools should help you decide.
- Consult TCSP2 Chapter 2, Articles 2.1 – 2.5 for research studies that are exempt from REB review.
- Use the Nova Scotia Health-specific decision tool, created by Quality Improvement and the REB office. For help, see the
- Quality Improvement and Research FAQ. If this tool was useful to you, please consider taking our five-minute feedback survey.
- If you’re unsure whether your project requires REB review, or if you require a letter from the REB stating that your project is exempt form REB, complete the REB Review Exemption Form on ROMEO. The REB office will provide you with a response, or formal letter, within one week of receiving your form. If
- you do not have a ROMEO account, the REB office will create an account for you.
- Please consult the Quality Improvement and Safety intranet for more information.
REB Reviews
Delegated reviews (non-interventional studies) are reviewed as submitted on a first-come, first serve basis by one board member and one co-chair and do not require a meeting for review.
Intervention study submissions are placed in the next available meeting on a first come, first served basis. Files are placed in the queue based on a timestamp at submission in ROMEO but queue positions may be affected by incomplete or inadequate applications.
Please check the calendar below before submitting your application to understand a realistic meeting date for your file review. File review does not guarantee approval and additional information will be required after review to reach approval status.
Please note: All meetings will be held via Zoom.
