All research undertaken in the Cook Islands must meet our research and ethical standards to protect those participating in the research.
As of May 2022, the Cook Islands Research Ethics Committee (CIREC) became operational and all research applications are required to seek ethics approval in the Cook Islands unless they fit under the exemptions listing. This can be found in the National Research Policy.
Guiding Principles for research conducted in the Cook Islands
The Cook Islands Research Ethics Guiding Principles for Research Involving Human Participants (and animals)
Applications to the CIREC are at no cost. They must be submitted to the Cook Islands Research and Ethics Secretariat and must include the following documents:
- CI Ethics Committee Application for Ethics Approval
- Ethics Approval from local institution
- Participant Information Sheets and Consent Forms
- Research Application Form
- All other supporting documents necessary as per the Ethics and Research application forms.
Applications are categorised by their level of risk – low, medium and high, which is dependent on the nature of research to be conducted. This will determine the turnaround time on the applications.
The composition of the CIREC are members with key qualities inclusive of active researchers, familiarity in research ethics, experience in health research and local community knowledge.
Once reviewed by the CIREC, all applications are passed on to the Cook Islands National Research Committee who grant the final approval. All research permits come at a cost of NZD $80.
Applications for research in the Cook Islands are now open. These will be received over two-month periods at a time. The 2025 CIREC sittings are listed below. It is requested to send all completed application materials to the secretariat up to one week before the below dates :
The 2025 CIREC sittings are listed below
24 February 2025
21 April 2025
23 June 2025
25 August 2025
27 October 2025
Resumes February 2026
We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we navigate the new official processes for Cook Islands Research.
For any further questions, the Secretariat can be contacted on research.secretariat@cookislands.gov.ck