When a research application is submitted to the Health Research Authority sometimes it is reviewed by a Research Ethics Committees (REC).
Every year the volunteers that make up the committees review thousands of research applications and amendments to studies and provide an opinion on the application.
Our target is for a REC review to be completed and the outcome shared with applicants within 60 days of a valid application being received.
In this section we share information on how many applications we have received for review by a REC and how long it took for the application to be reviewed.
Number of applications reviewed
Between 2018 and 2023 we have seen a year-on-year reduction of around 6% in the number of applications we have given a final opinion on.
This a long-term trend seen across the UK research landscape, with a move towards more large multi-site studies, rather than smaller studies at individual sites.
Another contributing factor to this reduction was the changes to the way student research is carried out in the NHS.
Total number of studies receiving final ethical opinion from a REC
The total number of studies receiving a final ethical opinion from RECs based across the UK were:
- 2018 – 5,276
- 2019 – 4,962
- 2020 – 4,417
- 2021 – 4,349
- 2022 – 4,047
- 2023 – 4,057
Review times
We aim to review all studies submitted to a Research Ethics Committee within 60 calendar days of receiving a valid application.
Between 2018 and 2023 the time taken for a REC to review research applications has been consistent, with commercially sponsored research taking just under 33 days for review, and non-commercially sponsored research taking just under 30 days.
These review times are well below our 60 day target despite challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and delays faced elsewhere in the research system.
Our review times are now slightly faster than pre-pandemic levels (30 days in 2018 compared to 28 days in 2023 for non-commercially sponsored research).
Number of days taken for REC review
Between 2018 and 2023 the median number of days taken for a final opinion to be issued by a REC was:
- commercial studies – on average just under 33 days
- non-commercial studies – on average just under 30 days
In the below chart you can see a breakdown of the median number of days taken for a REC review by year.
Latest review times
Between January 2024 and March 2024 (quarter four 2023/24) the median number of days taken for REC (UK wide) review was:
- commercial - 31 days
- non-commercial - 28 days
Between April 2024 and June 2024 (quarter one 2024/25) the median number of days taken for REC (UK wide) review was:
- commercial - 33 days
- non-commercial - 28 days
Quarterly breakdown of REC (UK wide) review times
You can take a look at quarter-by-quarter breakdown of REC (UK wide) review times below:
How we break down our data
For most applicants to the Health Research Authority, the REC review forms part of the overall HRA and HCRW Approval process. A favourable opinion from a REC is also required for studies which receive support from the Confidentiality Advisory Group.
We have separated our REC review data from our HRA and HCRW Approval data because HRA and HCRW Approval applies only to the NHS in England and Wales. This approval brings together the assessment of governance and legal compliance, undertaken by dedicated HRA staff, with the independent ethical opinion by a REC so that you only need to submit one application.
Some studies submitted for HRA and HCRW Approval do not require REC approval, others do. This is explained more fully in our guidance.
We have broken down our data to reflect this difference, as well as showing timelines for HRA approval of commercial and non-commercially sponsored research.