Managing In-Flight and Active Research

Over the next six months, RITHIM will be using a dual approach to transitioning health research to the Harmony system.  Please review the following information carefully for a smooth, informed transition.

Key Terminology to consider:

Active Research – projects that are fully approved and currently enrolling participants or collecting data.

Fully Approved Research – projects where all required approvals have been obtained (e.g. ethics approval, PHRPC if applicable, all applicable health system approvals) but have not yet begun enrolling participants or collecting data. Note: This definition is not dependent on execution of any research agreements or health system site activation.

In-Flight Applications – projects where a portion but not all required approvals have been submitted or obtained. 

July 1 – December 31, 2025 Transition Period

All existing traditional submission processes will be maintained until the end of this calendar year.

For In-Flight Applications, continue engaging with the applicable review bodies:

• • Post-secondary constituted Research Ethics Boards*

*The University of Manitoba Bannatyne REB office staff will be supporting the new provincial CHIPER REB with traditional review processes through the transition period. However, CHIPER will be the REB of record for all reviews and decisions provided.

• • Provincial Health Research Privacy Committee (PHRPC)
  • Relevant Health Institutional Assessments

Submit required project documentation and reports utilizing existing methods until your project is Fully Approved.

Fully Approved and Active Research

Projects previously approved by the University of Manitoba Bannatyne REBs will be imported into Harmony in accordance with the full launch of the system as soon as July 2025. Once visible in your Harmony Work Area, your imported projects must be validated prior to further processing in the system. Imported projects are validated by reviewing imported information, correcting any inaccuracies, and uploading additional legacy information, applications and approvals.

If your existing project has not been successfully imported or becomes fully approved after import, you must manually establish it in Harmony by entering key project details and uploading legacy information, applications and approvals to the system. Once a project is established, you will be able to further manage it in the system, including but not limited to the following activities:

• Amendments
• Renewals
• Reportable Events
• Project Completion

We recommend completing the setup of your existing project(s) in Harmony in advance of any required follow-on submissions (renewal, amendment), and no later than December 31, 2025.

Important: As of January 1, 2026, all new and existing health research projects in Manitoba must be submitted and managed exclusively through Harmony. Traditional submission methods will no longer be accepted or supported.

What You Need to Do Now:

• Track your project’s status (e.g., in review, partially or fully approved) and continue to follow current processes for in-flight applications.
• Submit required closure forms and documentation for projects that are completed and do not need to be transferred to Harmony.
• Watch for updates and any project-specific instructions from RITHIM, REBs, PHRPC, and health institutional partners.
• Prepare to migrate and validate your project into Harmony once fully approved.

We appreciate your cooperation and flexibility during this transition. If you have questions or concerns about your specific project or workflow, please reach out at RITHIM@researchmb.ca – we are here to help.

Thank you for your continued commitment to research excellence.