A research ethics board (REB) is an independent committee made up of medical and non-medical members, such as physicians, statisticians, and community advocates. It ensures that a clinical trial is ethical and that the rights of study participants are protected.

All institutions that conduct or support biomedical research involving people, by Canadian government regulation, must have an REB that initially approves and periodically reviews the research.

An REB reviews and approves protocols, informed-consent forms, physician credentials and eligibility, and other patient materials. The role of an REB is to work closely with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research to make sure that patient safety is the main priority of a clinical trial.