About ISERCs

Institutional Scientific and Ethics Review Committees (ISERCs) are the frontline bodies for research-ethics review in Kenya. Hosted by universities, hospitals, research institutes and other qualifying institutions, ISERCs review the scientific merit and ethical soundness of research protocols before studies begin.

How ISERCs fit within the system

ISERCs derive their mandate from the Science, Technology and Innovation regulatory framework. Once accredited by NACOSTI, each ISERC is authorized to review research within its host institution, and where separately accredited to do so, clinical trials. The result is a distributed national system: researchers submit protocols to the ISERC at their institution, which conducts the review closest to the research setting, while NSEC provides expert oversight and reviews complex or referred cases.

Accreditation

ISERCs must be accredited by NACOSTI before they can review research. NACOSTI’s accreditation process draws on expert review from NSEC and assesses each committee’s composition, procedures, capacity for ethical review, and record-keeping systems. Apply for accreditation.

Currently accredited

59 ISERCs across Kenya are currently accredited by NACOSTI, of which 8 are additionally authorised to review clinical trials.