Applications for amendments or extensions
You must always submit an amendment application form for any changes to a project which has already obtained a favourable opinion and a new ethical review application form to renew your favourable opinion for another five years.
If your original application was collaborative, see the guidance on collaborative applications.
The guidance below is for:
- Applications made using the online system (after 2025, your favourable opinion reference looks like AB-000-0000-2020)
- Applications made using the Word document application form and submitted by email (before 2025, your approval reference looks like AB12345)
Guidance for applications originally made using the online ethics system
If your original application was made using the online ethics system you must use the system for any amendments.
To do this:
- Log in to the
- Find the application you wish to amend
- Click into the application
- Use the 'request project amendment' action
Your SEC will receive a request to unlock your form. Once they've done this you will receive a notification. You can then revise and resubmit your form.
Remember to:
- Change your response to the application type question at the start of the form to 'Amendment'
- Sign the form (including your supervisor if you are a student)
For a walkthrough of this process, visit the .
Simple amendments
Simple, non-substantial amendments which do not alter or bring any additional ethical considerations should be recorded but do not require ethical review.
A simple amendment is:
- addition or removal of researchers
- addition or removal of research or recruitment sites or locations
- minor changes to study documents such as spelling or grammar, to correct errors or to update contact details to reflect changes in the research team.
And when:
- these are the only changes requested
- these changes do not alter or add to the ethical considerations as described in the original application
Submit your amendment using the ethics system and the SEC will record and acknowledge the changes.
Any other amendments
Any significant changes to the project will require review by your School ethics committee. For example, if you need to modify your original proposal, bring in new elements in a way which would significantly alter any of the responses you originally made, and if your planned changes affect the ethical issues associated with the project.
If your changes amount to essentially a different project to that originally approved, you should submit a new ethical application. For guidance, contact your School ethics committee.
Do not start, or continue, your modified research until you have secured a SEC favourable opinion for any amendments.
Extensions
Ethical approval is granted for five years.
If you need to extend your approval you can seek a:
- Short discretionary extension – the School ethics committee can grant extensions of up to six months, at their discretion, without the need for an ethical review application. This may be appropriate when the research is nearing completion. A discretionary extension can only be granted once, thereafter a full extension is required. Email your SEC to request a discretionary extension.
- Renewal of approval – if you need to extend your approval for a longer period, or if the SEC requests, you must complete a new application, noting the original approval code and date. Submit this to your SEC for review and, if approved, approval will be valid for another five years.
Do not start, or continue, your research until you have secured SEC approval for any extension – make sure to submit an application for an extension in advance of your favourable opinion expiring (at least four weeks, earlier if possible) to avoid conducting research without the appropriate ethical approval.
Guidance for applications originally made by Word form and email
Amendments
Simple amendments
Simple, non-substantial amendments which do not alter or bring any additional ethical considerations should be recorded but do not require ethical review.
If your proposed amendment is for:
- addition or removal of researchers
- addition or removal of research or recruitment sites or locations
- minor changes to study documents such as spelling or grammar, to correct errors or to update contact details to reflect changes in the research team.
And:
- these are the only changes requested
- these changes do not alter or add to the ethical considerations as described in the original application
Then you can use the Ethical amendment application form (simple) (Word) to record your changes – send this to your School ethics committee (SEC) who will acknowledge receipt by email.
Any other amendments
For any other amendments an ethical amendment application form (Word) should be completed and submitted to your School ethics committee. For example, if you need to modify your original proposal, bring in new elements in a way which would significantly alter any of the responses you originally made, and if your planned changes affect the ethical issues associated with the project.
If your changes amount to essentially a different project to that originally approved, you should submit a new ethical application. For guidance, contact your School ethics committee.
Do not start, or continue, your modified research until you have secured SEC approval for any amendments.
Extensions
Ethical approval is granted for five years.
If you need to extend your approval you can seek a:
- Short discretionary extension – the School ethics committee can grant extensions of up to six months, at their discretion, without the need for an ethical review application. This may be appropriate when the research is nearing completion. A discretionary extension can only be granted once, thereafter a full extension is required. Email your SEC to request a discretionary extension.
- Renewal of approval – if you need to extend your approval for a longer period, or if the SEC requests, you must complete a new application, noting the original approval code and date. Submit this to your SEC for review and, if approved, approval will be valid for another five years.
Do not start, or continue, your research until you have secured SEC approval for any extension – make sure to submit an application for an extension in advance of your approval expiring (at least four weeks, earlier if possible) to avoid conducting research without the appropriate ethical approval.