CEP Fast-track Review
In early 2026, the CEP aims to launch a new Fast-track registration procedure, covering studies that are low risk from an ethical perspective. In the first phase from October 2025 till the end of 2025, the CEP wants to pilot test the usability and clarity of nine fast-track screening items; for example use of deception, inclusion of vulnerable participants.
How does the Pilot project work?
New applications for standard and Bachelor Project studies will be required to answer nine fast-track screening items with a simple yes/no option to determine whether an application would be considered ethically low risk.
All researchers still need to complete the full CEP-application form and upload the relevant documents to be registered in the system. After the fast track is fully implemented in early 2026, the low-risk applications will not be actively reviewed by a CEP member. Researchers remain personally responsible for answering all questions truthfully, including the pre-application fast-track questions.
Why the Pilot Phase October-December 2025?
To formally implement the Fast-track registration procedure in 2026, the CEP would like to ensure that the nine “yes/no” items can reliably distinguish low-risk studies from high(er)-risk studies, which will continue to require full CEP-review.
Therefore, during the pilot phase (Oct-Dec 2025), the CEP already asks researchers to answer the 9 fast-track items, in addition to the normal application form. All feedback on the usability and clarity of the nine screening items or on the plan of a fast-track review procedure will be highly appreciated; kindly send an e-mail to ethiekpsychologie@fsw.leidenuniv.nl.
If the pilot is successful, the new procedure in 2026 will no longer require an active review by a CEP-reviewer for low-risk applications, which will significantly shorten the turnaround time for a CEP-approval. An ethics exemption letter, with a CEP-number, will then be automatically issued to the applicant upon submission of a low-risk study.