Resources and Guidelines

• Office of the Research Ethics Committee (KFE):
  Please contact the office of the KFE for all your questions that concern research ethics, the research ethics committee and the research ethics application procedure.
   
• Research Compliance Office:
  Please contact the Research Compliance Office for your projects that fall under the Regulations on particularly risky research, e.g. research relating to PPP, GoF and DURC, to the Nagoya Protocol and to export controls and sanctions.
   
• Data Protection Officer of the University of Basel (DPO):
  Please contact the DPO office for advice regarding questions relating to the processing of personal data, data protection regulations, data transfer or use agreements, and the data classification of the University.
   
• Research Data Management Network (RDM):
  Please contact the Research Data Management Network of the University of Basel for information on research data management (data analysis, data storage, data sharing, etc.). Here you also find the contact details of the data stewards of the faculties and departments.
   
• Research & Infrastructure Support (RISE):
  Please contact RISE if your research is in the humanities and social sciences. They will assist you in the conception of computer-based research, and help you choose the adequate tools for the creation, analysis and user-oriented presentation of digital data, as well as in sustainable and open methods of data dissemination.
   
• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO):
  Please contact the CISO for information and advice on information security matters.
   
• Grants Office:
  Please contact the Grants Office for advice and questions regarding funding agency applications.
   
• Center for Scientific Computing (sciCORE):
  Please contact sciCORE if you need powerful and secure compute and storage systems. sciCORE provides advanced infrastructure, secure environments, and expert guidance.
   

E-Learning Tools

The online course Research Integrity (Epigeum) offered by the University of Basel provides a basic introduction to the most important topics in research integrity and research ethics. The module-based course is recommended to all researchers, as it contributes to establishing a culture of good scientific practice and responsible research at the University of Basel. The course is structured into twelve modules. A certificate is delivered after completion of the course.

Forschungsethik in der Psychologie is offered as a Tales online course by the University of Basel and is also available to researchers at the University of Basel on the ADAM learning management system (LMS), which includes a forum, literature and reference information, as well as exam-relevant literature and possible exam questions.

Training and Resources in Research Ethics Evaluation (TRREE) offers courses and resources on the ethical evaluation of medical research projects involving humans.

Courses and Trainings

Ethics of Science is an interdisciplinary workshop organized by the Graduate Center that provides a general introduction to the history, principles, guidelines, and topics of research ethics. The workshop includes case studies and practical exercises and aims to raise participants' awareness of issues such as professional and social responsibility, good scientific practice, and research involving human and non-human subjects.

Training courses on Research Data Management are offered by the Research Data Management Network at the University of Basel.

The Research Ethics Committee (KFE) is a permanent committee of the Senate with the task of ensuring that the principles of research ethics are implemented at the University of Basel. The KFE assesses the ethical acceptability of research projects carried out at the University of Basel that fall within its area of responsibility (see KFE Regulations § 3).

The Ethics Committee of the Faculty Psychology (EKFP) is a standing committee that reviews and assesses research projects proposed in the field of psychological research at the Faculty of Psychology for ethical compliance, with the aim of ensuring both the protection of study participants and proportionality between the risks and benefits of the research investigation.
Until July 31, 2026, researchers at the Faculty of Psychology will continue to submit their projects to the EKFP. From August 1, 2026, all applications will be submitted to the Commission for Research Ethics (KFE) (for transitional provisions, see KFE Regulations § 10).

The Ethics Committee Northwestern and Central Switzerland (EKNZ) is responsible for assessing research projects conducted at the University of Basel for their compatibility with applicable national and international guidelines for medical research involving human subjects (in particular the Human Research Act, HRA).

The Swiss Association of Research Ethics Committees (swissethics) coordinates the cantonal ethics committees with the aim of achieving uniform application of federal regulations on human research (HRA) and promoting the exchange of information and reports.

The National Advisory Commission on Biomedical Ethics (NCE) is an independent committee of experts that advises the federal authorities on ethical issues in the field of human medicine.

The Federal Ethics Committee on Non-Human Biotechnology (ECNH) is an extra-parliamentary commission appointed by the Federal Council. It advises the authorities on ethical issues related to non-human bio- and genetic technology.

The Central Ethics Committee (CEC) of the Swiss Academy of Medical Sciences (SAMS) anticipates and discusses ethical challenges in medicine with the aim of promoting the exchange of information and cooperation with related institutions.

The Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation (ECAE) is a joint committee of the SAMS and the Swiss Academy of Sciences (SCNAT). It anticipates and discusses ethical challenges in animal research with the aim of promoting high-quality responsible, and scientifically meaningful research.

In Switzerland, research is regulated by laws, cantonal ethics committees, and university research ethics committees, which ensure the protection of research participants and compliance with scientific standards.
The laws on research listed in the link box in Switzerland and the EU, provide legal guidance. The list is updated regularly.
 

The general and subject-specific research ethics guidelines in Switzerland and the EU are listed in the link box provide research ethics guidance. The list is updated regularly.