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Institutional Review Board

The first independent ethics committee in Zimbabwe, reviewing research conducted through BRTI since 1997.

The Biomedical Research and Training Institute established an Institutional Review Board (IRB) in 1997. It is registered with the Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) and holds Federal-Wide Assurance FWA00026569 for projects administered through BRTI. Under that assurance, BRTI complies with the U.S. Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects (45 CFR part 46, the Common Rule) when its employees or partners conduct non-exempt research supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or other research covered by the assurance.

BRTI also reports annually to the Office for Research Integrity concerning any instances of research misconduct. External investigators who are not employed by BRTI may request IRB review for a proposed study.

Board members

Seven members and two support staff serve on the BRTI IRB.

  • Chairperson

    Dr. Tonderai Mapako

    Biostatistics, strategic planning, and health management

    PhD in Transfusion Risk Modelling, MSc in Biostatistics, MSc in Applied Statistics, BSc in Biological Sciences and Statistics, Advanced Health Management

  • Member

    Dr. Shungu Munyati

    Microbiology, public health, and socio-behavioural sciences

    PhD Epidemiology–HIV/TB, MSc Immunology/Microbiology, BSc Applied Biology

  • Member

    Dr. Constance Nyamukapa

    Social work and social epidemiology

    PhD in Social Epidemiology, MSc in Population and Development, BSW and DSW in Social Work

  • Member

    Mr. Charles Makina

    Insurance and human resources

    MBA Human Resources, Diploma in Business Studies, Advanced Management Diploma

  • Member

    Mr. Tatenda Makoni

    Law and community systems strengthening

    MSc in International Relations, MSc in Strategic Management, Bachelor of Laws (LLB), BSc (Hons) in Political Science

  • Member

    Farirai Mutenherwa, PhD

    Health research ethics, population health, and global health

    PhD, MSocSc (Health Research Ethics), MSc, BSc

  • Member

    Prof. Nicholas Midzi

    Microbiology and community health

    PhD Parasitology, MPhil International Community Health, ND Biological Technology

Support staff

  • Pharmacy

    Ms. Farirai Kainga-Mtema

    MBA, B.Pharm (Hons)

  • Administration

    Mrs. Norah Mushamba

    LCCI Diploma in Business Administration

Application for ethics review

The principal investigator can complete the application on this page, or download the Word form. Send it with the full protocol, a study summary of no more than four pages, informed consent documents, and CVs to irb@brti.co.zw, and copy fmutenherwa@brti.co.zw.

The IRB accepts normal and expedited applications. A normal review takes about four weeks. An expedited review takes about 14 days. A tertiary student’s application is charged at the student rate. The board meets quarterly. Email the IRB office for the date of the next meeting.

Application form

Download the Word form

Complete the form here, or download a blank Word copy. Put the supporting documents in one zip folder and upload it below. Submitting emails the completed Word form and that zip to irb@brti.co.zw, and copies fmutenherwa@brti.co.zw.

General information

If this is a trial of a drug, device, or biologic that is not registered, state the phase.

Write None if there are no co-investigators.

Write None if there are no other key personnel.

Sponsor
Subjects

For example, hospital patients, outpatient clinics, or factories.

Required if you answered Yes. Email a copy with the protocol.

Write None if no samples will be taken.

Review status
Support letters and agreements

Write Not required if none are needed.

Submission checklist

Mark each item included in the zip folder.

Supporting documents

Zip the documents for this application into one folder. Include the full protocol and budget, a study summary of no more than four pages, informed consent documents, data collection tools, and CVs. Add the other checklist items when they apply.

One .zip file, 10 MB or smaller.

Statement by the principal investigator

What the study summary should cover

Keep the summary to four pages and include:

  • Background: why the study matters for the health needs of the community.
  • Aims: the specific aims of the study.
  • Methodology: procedures, sample size, subjects, interventions, samples, tests, training, data collection, and analysis.
  • Outcome measures.
  • Risks: harms, discomfort, confidentiality, and adverse events.
  • Benefits to participants and the community.
  • Any changes in design that may be expected during the study.

Fees

  • Normal IRB application USD 250 or ZiG equivalent
  • Expedited review USD 500 or ZiG equivalent
  • Tertiary education students USD 150 or ZiG equivalent

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