As part of the EU-funded ETHICS project ("Responsible Conduct of Research – Research Integrity and Ethics in Georgian Universities"), in March 2025, GIPA - Georgian Institute of Public Affairs established a permanent Research Integrity (RI) Committee to evaluate the compatibility of future research projects with ethical and integrity standards. Established on a multidisciplinary basis, the Research Ethics Committee is an independent university body. It is responsible for ensuring that all research and creative activities conducted within the university comply with universally recognized ethical and legal standards. Its primary purpose is to review research plans to ensure the protection, dignity, fundamental rights, safety, and well-being of all research participants.
Any researcher planning to conduct a scientific study at GIPA, in collaboration with GIPA, or at a GIPA-affiliated institution may apply to the Committee for an ethical review. Please note that the Committee exclusively assesses research plans prior to the start of a study. It does not accept applications to review ongoing or completed research; any such applications will be automatically rejected.
Applications must contain sufficient information for the Committee to conduct a thorough ethical review. Committee members must be assured that the risks and burdens associated with participation do not exceed acceptable limits. Furthermore, participant recruitment and selection must adhere to the following three principles:
- Participation is strictly voluntary.
- Recruitment aligns directly with the main research question (objective) and methodology.
- Selection is conducted without discrimination.
Rule of Procedure for the Activities of the Research Ethics Committee of GIPA
