In line with the directions of Strategic Plan 2026 for Research Innovation & Learning, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and Thunder Bay Regional Health Research Institute (TBRHRI) are pleased to announce that we are transitioning to an electronic research administration and application system called ROMEO Research Portal during Summer 2022.
What is ROMEO Research Portal?
The ROMEO Research Portal is an online digital platform used by dozens of academic and healthcare institutions across Canada for managing their clinical research needs in terms of reviews, approvals, tracking, and reporting.
Why are we making this change:
The system will streamline the ethics and institutional authorization process for research in a number of ways, including:
- Reduced administrative data entry by collecting data via online workflow processes
- Tracked deliverables and auto-prompt reminders for re-approvals
- Tracked and automated approval processes, reducing the time to obtain signatures
When will the ROMEO Research Portal be live?
We plan to go live with the platform in early August, 2022. Prior to that date, guidance documents and training will be made available to users.
What does this mean for Researchers?
While the application itself will feel similar, researchers will now be able to complete a single, combined application for both ethics and institutional approvals. Our goal is to reduce overall review times and continue to enhance the quality and clarity of our applications and forms. Configurable controls will prevent incomplete submissions and improve submission quality.
What does this mean for TBRHSC Staff who review research for departmental impact?
If you are a Manager or Director at TBRHSC who reviews research for local impact or endorsement, this will now take place within the Research Portal. An account will be generated for you, and you will be notified when there is an application involving your program or department that requires your review. By logging into the Research Portal, you will be able to review your program or department’s involvement and confirm support, or request additional details, if needed.
For more information, please contact Daniel Horne, Manager of Clinical Research Services at Daniel.Horne@tbh.net, or Statton Eade, Research Ethics & Authorization Coordinator at Statton.Eade@tbh.net.