External Research

The Toronto Catholic District School Board's (TCDSB) Research Review Committee (RRC) reviews requests from external institutions, organizations or individuals applying to conduct research in TCDSB schools. This includes people or agencies that plan to recruit research participants from schools and conduct their research off TCDSB premises. This review process ensures that proper procedures and guidelines are followed in conducting research. Once applications have been approved, the final decision to participate rests with individual school principals. Staff, students, and parents also have the right to decide if they wish to participate.

• We have transitioned to an online application form. Please complete the online form and submit final study materials in one PDF through the online form. ‘Hard copy’, mailed applications will no longer be accepted.

• At this point applicants do not need to submit Police Reference Check information. Any acceptance decisions will be conditional upon receipt of Police Reference Check/Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS) documentation.

• If in-person research must be conducted, all visitors must adhere to any TCDSB COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

• Above all, the final decision to participate rests with individual school principals. Staff, students, and parents also have the right to decide if they wish to participate.

The deadlines for the 2022-2023 school year are:

• September 19, 2022

• November 10, 2022

• January 23, 2023

• May 8, 2023 (First deadline for the 2023-2024 school year)

Please see the following information documents for more details:

• Guidelines for Conducting External Research

• Appendix A

• Appendix B

• TCDSB Policy S.19 - External Research Conducted in the TCDSB

Once you have your completed RRC package, please complete the online application form below.

For further information, contact research.review@tcdsb.org.