Useful resources for kidney researchers are available from our partners and others in BC’s health research space. If you are aware of other resources that should be added to this page, please email esther.khor@bcrenal.ca.
Provincial Research Supports
Michael Smith Health Research BC
Health Research BC funds people and research, and partners on shared opportunities. Their programs build research careers, their investments advance priority research, and their expertise accelerates the use of research evidence. Health Research BC also includes Clinical Trials BC and the BC SUPPORT Unit.
Website: https://healthresearchbc.ca
Clinical Trials BC
As part of Michael Smith Health Research BC, Clinical Trials BC coordinates a unified, province-wide approach to advancing clinical trials. In partnership with researchers, health organizations, and communities across BC and Canada, it builds BC’s capacity to attract and conduct high-quality trials.
Website: https://clinicaltrialsbc.ca/
BC SUPPORT Unit
The BC SUPPORT Unit empowers research and care teams to collaborate with a patient-oriented research approach. They help move this evidence, developed with patients and communities, into practice.
Website: https://bcsupportunit.ca
Population Data BC
Population Data BC (PopData) is a multi-university data and education resource facilitating interdisciplinary research on the determinants of human health, well-being and development. It offers online training to help researchers understand their obligations under privacy legislation and guidelines in Canada.
Website: https://www.popdata.bc.ca
Training Tools
Researchers affiliated with the University of British Columbia, Vancouver Coastal Health or Providence Health Care must complete the training course listed below before participating in research activities depending on the type of research being conducted.
Each module (except the Confidentiality Undertaking) takes 3–5 hours. Progress can be paused and resumed.
The Department of Evaluation and Research Services at Fraser Health provides a detailed list of clinical research training requirements for researchers affiliated with that health authority.
Researchers affiliated with Island Health can access instructional resources from the Research Ethics & Compliance Office.
TCPS-2 Core 2022 (Course on Research Ethics)
Purpose: Provides foundational knowledge of ethical principles governing research involving humans in Canada (respect for persons, concern for welfare, and justice) and ensures compliance with national research ethics requirements.
This online course is required before you can submit your research project for Research Ethics Board approval.
How to Complete:
- Go to http://tcps2core.ca/welcome
- Complete new account registration
- Select University of British Columbia as your affiliation
Estimated time: 3 hours
Good Clinical Practice Course – GCP (Regulated and non-regulated research, valid for 3 years)
Purpose: Teaches international standards (ICH-GCP) for designing, conducting, recording, and reporting clinical trials to ensure participant safety, data integrity, and regulatory compliance.
How to Complete:
- Visit www.citiprogram.ca
- Select New Users Register Here (if needed)
- Choose institution
- Create a username/password
- Enroll in Canada GCP Basic – Stage 1
Estimated time: 3–5 hours
Health Canada Division 5: Drugs for Clinical Trials Involving Humans (Required for Health Canada regulated clinical Studies)
Purpose: Covers Canadian regulatory requirements under Health Canada Division 5 for conducting drug trials, including roles, responsibilities, and compliance obligations for investigators and coordinators.
How to Complete:
- Go to www.citiprogram.ca (login or register)
- Choose Institution
- Enroll in Health Canada Division 5 (ID 103364)
Estimated time: 3–5 hours
Confidentiality Undertaking (Required for Ethics Approval)
Purpose: Ensures all research personnel understand and commit to protecting patient privacy, confidential information, and data security in accordance with VCH/PHC policies and applicable privacy legislation.
All study team members must complete the VCH & PHC Confidentiality Undertaking for Researchers.
About the Undertaking:
- Required for all researchers under VCHRI and PHCRI
- Valid for 2 years
- Takes < 5 minutes
- Certificate emailed upon completion
How to Complete:
- Visit the PHSA Learning Hub: https://learninghub.phsa.ca
- Log in or create a new account (if you do not fall under Staff/Medical/Student, select “contractor/affiliate”
- Search for the course:
- Name: VCH & PHC Confidentiality Undertaking for Researchers
- Course Code: 17110
- Register → Start Course
- Open the Undertaking module
- Review the VCH‑PHC Data & Research Access Terms and Conditions
- Accept the terms to complete
Resources from Academic Institutions
UBC Research & Innovation
UBC Research & Innovation offers a wide range of supports for researchers including how to find funding for your project, how to conduct your research and building partnerships.
SFU Research Commons
The Research Commons fosters an empowered and transformative research culture at SFU that is collaborative, creative, and cross-disciplinary. We partner with faculty, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to build capacity, community, and expertise.
University of Victoria Research Services
The University of Victoria Office of Research Services can support you with your funding applications, managing your grant and setting up your research study.
University of Northern British Columbia
The UNBC Office of Research and Innovation offers researchers research support services and research funding support.
Quality Improvement Projects
Determining if REB approval is needed
PHSA has developed a useful resource to help researchers determine if their quality improvement initiative requires Research Ethics Board approval.
Checklist for quality improvement/ quality assurance/ program evaluation/ curriculum development studies requiring behavioural research ethics board review
BREB_ChecklistForResearchRequiringEthicsReview.pdf
Assessing the risk of a quality improvement project
Alberta Innovates has developed a screening tool to help project leaders address and mitigate ethical risks using decision support tools, training opportunities, and project ethics consultation.
