The procedure for drafting or reviewing research contracts has been simplified. For a lot of contracts, researchers can now request support directly from Legal Research Support (LRS) without first obtaining privacy advice from Privacy Protection and Information Security (PB&IB).

"Researchers often find the legal procedures surrounding research contracts as time-consuming and complex," explains Michel Paardekooper, Data Protection Officer. "By establishing good agreements, we've been able to eliminate a mandatory intermediate step. This makes the process not only simpler, but also faster."

Further Optimization of Internal Research Procedures
This change is part of the broader PROSPER project (PRocess Optimization for research Support & Privacy assessment), through which Amsterdam UMC aims to further streamline research procedures. Vice Dean of Research Elga de Vries states: "The research landscape has become very complex in recent years. We're partly dealing with laws, regulations, and external procedures that we must comply with. At the same time, we can work on improving our internal procedures and coordinating better between our in-house research service desks. The easing of mandatory privacy advice for many research contracts is a good example of this." Researchers are encouraged to submit additional suggestions for improvement via RS-PROSPER@amsterdamumc.nl.

Directly to LRS

Researchers can now contact LRS directly when dealing with:

  • : Amsterdam UMC receives data or biological material from an external party that acts exclusively as a supplier, without further involvement in the research.
  • : Amsterdam UMC provides biological material to an external organization without further involvement in the research. The Biobank Review Committee must have approved the issuance of biological material from the biobank.
  • initiated by an external organization where Amsterdam UMC is exclusively a participating center.
  • for obtaining funding where the concrete plans for the study(ies) still need to be developed.

Each situation has specific conditions and exceptions. Please refer to the PB&IB intranet page and the Privacy: required information for PB&IB and LRS - form. In specific cases, LRS may decide that additional PB&IB advice is still needed.