Research Ethics Committee

The EUNEIZ Research Ethics Committee (CEIE) aims to ensure that all research activities carried out at the university are conducted in accordance with the highest standards of integrity, responsibility, and scientific rigor. Its mission is to promote an institutional culture based on honesty, transparency, and respect, providing guidance and support to the university community on matters related to research ethics.

Foundations

The CEIE is inspired by the principles established in the CSIC Code of Good Scientific Practices (2021), which defines the fundamental values of responsible research in the Spanish context, and the European Code of Conduct for Research Integrity (ALLEA, 2023), the European reference for scientific integrity. Both documents emphasize the importance of reliability, honesty, respect, and accountability throughout all phases of the research process.

In addition, the Law 14/2007 on Biomedical Research requires obtaining approval from the ethics committee before starting any research involving people, biological samples, or personal data. This is complemented by the GDPR (EU 2016/679) on the protection of individuals regarding personal data processing, and the Clinical Trials Regulation (EU 536/2014), which guarantees the protection, confidentiality, and safety of participants.

In this context, Royal Decree 905/2025 reinforces the institutional commitment to research ethics by mandating the creation of an ethical committee in each university to oversee the conduct of teaching and research staff in research and knowledge transfer. Its purpose is to promote good practice criteria in research development and, in particular, encourage responsible use of artificial intelligence and information and communication technologies in the creation and dissemination of scientific knowledge.

Composition and Functions

The CEIE, under the Vice-Rectorate for Research, consists of seven members: degree coordinators, the committee coordinator, and the Vice-Rector for Research. This impartial and interdisciplinary body has the following main functions:

  • Evaluate research projects: Review and assess the ethical suitability of projects involving people, animals, AI, sensitive data, or any other aspect that may pose ethical risks.
  • Ensure regulatory compliance: Monitor compliance with current legislation and institutional, national, and international regulations on research ethics.
  • Protect participants: Guarantee that the rights, dignity, safety, and well-being of research participants are protected at all times.
  • Promote ethical training: Encourage training, awareness, and advisory activities for researchers, faculty, and students on good ethical practices in research.
  • Supervise project development: Monitor approved projects to ensure adherence to ethical principles during execution.
  • Resolve ethical queries and conflicts: Address researchers’ inquiries and resolve potential ethical conflicts related to research.

Ethical Evaluation: Purpose, Scope, and Procedure

Ethical evaluation is an essential element of responsible research. Its importance is based on:

  • Ensuring that research and teaching practices are conducted using ethically acceptable procedures and purposes.
  • Complying with legal requirements according to national and European regulations that mandate ethical evaluation as a prerequisite for research involving people, animals, biological agents, or AI.
  • Rigorously and multidisciplinary analyzing each project to strengthen the quality, robustness, and transparency of university research.
  • Meeting the requirements of national and international funding bodies for assessing and selecting submitted proposals.
  • Ensuring scientific publication by meeting editorial requirements through ethics committee approval as a necessary condition for disseminating research results.

Which Projects Must Be Evaluated?

Projects involving:

  • Research with human beings, their biological samples, and/or personal data.
  • Research using AI, digital technologies, or sensitive data sources, as established by current regulations.

Who Can Request Evaluation?

Ethical evaluation may be requested by:

  • EUNEIZ teaching and research staff.
  • Undergraduate, Master’s, or PhD students conducting research projects within the university.

How should applications be submitted?

  • Requests for ethical evaluation must be submitted through the CEIE Technical Secretariat, accompanied by the necessary documentation for review (project report, informed consent, data collection instruments, etc.). The Committee will analyze each request in accordance with principles of confidentiality, impartiality, and rigor, issuing an ethical suitability report that may include observations or recommendations.

Contact

EUNEIZ Research Ethics Committee

Technical Secretariat Coordination (CEIE):
Sheila Romero

Sheila Romero
Paseo de la Biosfera, No. 6
01013 Vitoria-Gasteiz
Álava-Araba

ceie@euneiz.com

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