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Ethical aspects

Do I need an ethics review?

Various areas of research touch on ethical issues. In the following you can find the most important aspects concerning grant proposal writing.

Most grant applications require you to address ethical issues. In particular, this is necessary for

  • studies that involve humans (including surveys, opinion polls)
  • collecting personal data 
  • research on human material (e.g. cell line)
  • animal experiments
  • research that may have effects on the environment
  • exchange of knowledge and goods with third countries 
  • research that may be used for military purposes ("dual use") or results who could be misused.

Your research may involve other ethical questions or be so innovative, that it touches ethical aspects which have not been considered, yet. Therefore, when you write a grant application, make sure that you address issues that may potentially be relevant. Contact other experienced researchers in your department to learn about the standard procedures in your field. For further information on ethical and legal topics with regard to grant writing and contact points at the university, please download our Ethics-Checklist.

Approvals and ethics reviews

The law requires you to obtain an official ethics review for research that involves embryos and stem cells, animal experiments, genetic engineering, and research falling under the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing.  For further information on biological safety and genetic engineering, please visit the website of the staff unit Occupational Safety, Health and Environmental Protection. The university's Biological Safety Officer will be happy to assist you. Further information on the Nagoya Protocol can be found on the website of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation.

At the University of Konstanz, the Ethics Committee reviews proposals for research proposed by its members that might affect human health, dignity and personal rights. An approval for research that involves animals may be obtained from the animal protection representatives at the Animal Research Facility. Please make sure that you allow for enough time when you contact either institution.