Tab Content: Guidance for Applicants
Simply log in to REAMS with your University login to launch the application form by clicking on the REAMS login link below.
REAMS LOGIN
On the application form you will be asked to answer some preliminary questions which will determine the level of review that is required for your research. Although REAMS is intuitive, which means it will generate questions tailored to your research, it is important to answer the questions accurately so that REAMS can generate the correct follow up questions and direct your application into the correct workflow.
Applicants - preparation
1. Be sure to have any relevant documentation prepared for upload such as:
- recruitment adverts,
- participant information sheets,
- consent forms,
- transcriber agreement,
- interview questions,
- questionnaires,
- debrief sheets
To note, there are templates of the documents in bold text above on your Faculty Research Ethics Committee’s webpage which we recommend you refer to, adapt and use for your research. The links are below:
2. Have any relevant information ready, for example:
You will be asked to confirm that you have done a health and safety risk assessment (you will not be asked to upload it though). To note, carrying out risk assessments are under the remit of the Safety Office. If you need assistance with completing a risk assessment, you should contact your Area Safety Officer if you are a member of staff; if you are an MPhil/PhD/doctorate student you should contact your supervisor for assistance.
An ACP or Agresso code (for funded projects). This usually applies to staff rather than students.
The User Guide below is for applicants. However, for anyone who feels they need more guidance using REAMS we recommend that you watch this short video. any assistance following this please contact your Faculty Research Ethics Officer.
REAMS Applicant guidance 2026 update
REAMS is designed to be intuitive for applicants and when the applicant launches the ethics application form in the system they are guided through the form which leads them from one question to the next. There are information buttons denoted by the letter ‘i’ in REAMS that are adjacent to most questions which applicants can refer to for help.
Our FAQ page may also help
Tab Content: Other Guidance
The User Guide below are for Faculty Research Ethics Committee members and Supervisors. If, after reading the guidance, you need assistance please contact your Faculty Research Ethics Officer.
REAMS Instructions for supervisors
FREC GUIDANCE (currently being reviewed)
Tab Content: Amendment Process
Amendments within this context mean changes that you need to make to your ethics application after you have received written confirmation of ethical approval. If you need to make an amendment, please read the guide below and follow the instructions. Any additional assistance contact your Faculty Research Ethics Officer
Amendment guidance for REAMS
Our FAQ page may also help
Tab Content: Guidance on NHS Research
Introduction
To note, the guidance below does not apply to IRAS applications that need NHS REC review. An example of an IRAS application that needs NHS REC review is one where NHS patients will be recruited to participate in a research project. This type of project cannot be processed in REAMS and the applicant should follow the guidance on the University’s ‘Approvals and Sponsorship’.
If you are unsure of whether your application needs NHS REC review you should refer to the HRA website and use the ‘HRA ethics toolkit’, there is a link to the toolkit on the University’s ‘Approvals and Sponsorship’ webpage. IRAS applications that need NHS REC review should be submitted directly to the Clinical Research Support Officers, by email to sponsorship@lancaster.ac.uk for processing.
IRAS applications which can be submitted in REAMS
For new applications which do not require NHS REC review, but do require HRA approval and Faculty Research Ethics Committee (FREC) approval the applicant should contact the Clinical Research Support Officers, in the first instance, by email to sponsorship@lancaster.ac.uk. The Clinical Research Support Officers will advise you on how to proceed with your IRAS application for sponsorship.
After the Clinical Research Support Officers have finished screening your IRAS application you will use REAMS to submit your IRAS application to your FREC for review*.
An example of an IRAS application that requires HRA approval and FREC approval is where NHS staff only will be recruited to participate in the project. For this type of IRAS application, the applicant should answer the questions in REAMS to indicate they need HRA approval from the NHS. When prompted in REAMS the applicant must also upload their IRAS form in pdf format and all supporting documents including, but not limited to: participant information sheets, consent forms, interview questions, the checklist supplied by the Clinical Research Support Officers, etc. The application will then be reviewed by your FREC in REAMS to comply with the University’s requirements.
Amendments to applications which required HRA approval and FREC approval
Amendments to applications which require HRA approval and FREC approval (for example, this would apply to IRAS applications for projects which involve NHS staff only as described above*) will NOT be processed in REAMS. They will be processed by the Clinical Research Support Officers instead. Please follow the guidance below:
Amendments must be submitted directly to the Clinical Research Support Officers by email to sponsorship@lancaster.ac.uk as per the University guidance on NHS Sponsorship, under ‘Step 11’.
Tab Content: Training
Have you completed the University’s research ethics and research integrity online training? We strongly encourage all staff and students to complete the training provided by the University. This will help with planning and designing your research, with submitting your ethics application in REAMS and conducting your research.
Training on research ethics and research integrity is available for staff and students. Details of the University's mandatory requirements to complete the training can be found under the paragraph, 'Who is required to complete the courses?'.
