Before you request a DTU REC assessment

Researchers considering requesting a DTU REC assessment are encouraged to review the DTU REC mandate and eligibility criteria below.

DTU REC can only assess studies where:

• the study is conducted by a DTU-employed researcher,
• the requesting researcher is the primary responsible researcher (PI or equivalent),
• the study involves human participants and/or human data,
• the study falls outside the statutory Danish Research Ethics Committee system,
• an external party requires or is expected to require documentation of institutional research ethics assessment,
• data collection, access to human data, or participant interaction has not yet started, and
• the study is sufficiently described for research ethical assessment.

DTU REC assesses individual studies rather than entire research projects. In some cases, closely related studies may be assessed together where the research ethical considerations cannot meaningfully be separated.

DTU REC does not:

• issue legally binding approvals,
• replace statutory ethical approvals required under Danish or EU legislation,
• assess or advise on GDPR, contracts, or other legal compliance matters,
• investigate research integrity concerns, such as scientific misconduct or questionable research practices,
• assess or advise on research security matters,
• assess broader societal and ethical implications of research and technology,
• assess conflicts of interest beyond considerations relating to transparency towards participants,
• assess student projects, or
• assess studies where data collection or participant interaction has already started.

Researchers remain responsible for ensuring that research is conducted responsibly and in accordance with applicable legal, institutional, and ethical requirements.
DTU REC requests will be submitted through a simple digital request form supported by guidance materials and templates.

Additional practical information about the process will be added continuously to the DTU REC Inside pages during May and June 2026.