Approval

(Communication between a university professor and the secretary of a grant administration office.)

Dear Professor X,

Thanks for the application on the above grant ... Please prepare a letter addressing to the Fund Secretariat advising them that ethics approval / proof of exemption are being sought from the relative ethics committees and will sent them a copy once they are available.

Regards, et cetera.

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Madam,

Thanks for your mail ... As to the "letter addressing to the Fund Secretariat advising them that ethics approval", since clinical research ethics approval is available and enclosed in the grant application, do I still need a separate letter as such ? (And, if yes, what am I expected to put down in the letter ?)

Professor X

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Dear Professor X,

For the ethics issue, it is referring to those you declare not required in the form. As stated in the requirement, proof of exemption is required to be obtained from the relative ethics committees. At this stage, you can just prepare a letter advising them that these are being sought and will let them have a copy once available.

Regards, et cetera.

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Madam,

Since my application is related to patients' clinical record and does not involve any laboratory work or animal, do I still have to seek exemption from laboratory safety office and animal research ethics ?

Professor X

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Dear Professor X,

Yes ...

Regards, et cetera.

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(The final mail that this humble university academic decided to keep to himself.)

Dear Madam,

For sure I shall apply for exemption of animal research ethics - I shall not study your clinical record in this project.

X