Scientists retain primary responsibility for their actions, regardless of the advice provided by the committee.
Researchers at the University of Stuttgart should seek advice from the committee before carrying out a research project if the project involves significant risks to human dignity, life, health, freedom, property, or the environment. Security risks arise in particular in scientific research that is likely to yield knowledge, products, or technologies that could be directly misused by third parties. The same applies if such risks become apparent only during the course of a research project.
Upon request, the committee reviews and evaluates the ethical or safety-related aspects of research projects in which researchers from the University of Stuttgart are involved. This may involve assessing measures and their consequences for people, animals, and plants.
The committee will take action upon written request from researchers at the University of Stuttgart who are involved in or responsible for a project. The basis for its work is the bylaws adopted on January 18, 2017, and published on May 18, 2017, as last amended on March 6, 2020.
Guidelines for submitting an application
To best support the committee's work, it is necessary that applications follow the structure outlined below and include the specified information. Applications that deviate from these guidelines cannot be considered.
All individuals at the University of Stuttgart who conduct independent research are eligible to apply, particularly professors of all ranks and independent early-career researchers. Academic (senior) lecturers are eligible to apply if they have completed their habilitation or are leading a junior research group.
As a rule, the committee reviews applications or proposed research projects before they begin. If serious or unexpected risks arise during the implementation of a project that could affect the protection objectives specified in § 6, paragraphs 1 and 2, of the bylaws, the chairperson of the committee must be notified immediately.
Applications should be submitted digitally to the Office of the Ethics Committee no later than three weeks before the respective meeting date.
Please be aware: written approval in lieu of a meeting is not permitted by initial applications.
The committee distinguishes between two types of applications:
Please submit a single PDF file that includes the following:
Cover letter with attachments
- Cover letter, signed by the applicant. The cover letter should include a statement indicating that a request is being submitted for the review and assessment of ethical aspects, and should specify whether, and if so, where, and with what outcome, requests with the same or similar content have already been submitted previously or concurrently.
- Appendix 1: A brief, easily understandable summary of the project’s objectives and procedures, as well as a detailed description of the project’s ethical aspects (1–3 pages, depending on the project’s complexity)
- Appendix 2: A detailed description of the study procedure and a brief, easy-to-understand summary of the tasks for participants. For studies involving vulnerable groups, please specify how these groups will be protected. Maximum 2 pages.
- Appendix 3: Questionnaire on “Review of Ethical Aspects” [de]: All questions should be answered carefully. The answers should not refer to other documents.
- Appendix 4: Information sheet, including privacy policy and consent form for study participants, written in plain language.
- Appendix 5: Sample questionnaire from the study (if applicable)
Please submit a single PDF file that includes the following:
Cover letter with attachments
- Cover letter, signed by the applicant. The cover letter should include a statement indicating that a request is being submitted for the review and assessment of safety-related aspects, and should specify whether, and if so, where, and with what result, requests with the same or similar content have already been submitted previously or concurrently.
- Appendix 1: A brief, easy-to-understand summary of the project’s objectives and procedures, as well as a detailed description of the project’s safety-related aspects (one to three pages, depending on the project’s complexity)
- Appendix 2: Questionnaire on “Review of Safety-Related Aspects” [de]: All questions in the questionnaire should be answered carefully. Please do not refer to other documents in your answers.
If a research project is to be reviewed for both ethical and safety-related aspects, two separate applications must be submitted.
Please note: The Commission reviews only ethical and safety-related aspects. The Commission cannot grant approval or conduct reviews regarding data protection. For projects in which data protection aspects must be taken into account, please contact the Central Data Protection Office of the Baden-Wuerttemberg Universities ZENDAS [de].
Meeting dates in winter semester 2026/27
- Monday, November 2, 2026
- Thursday, Januar 28, 2027
Chaird
Prof. Dr. Judith Tonhauser
Members
Prof. Dr. Jan Hesselbarth
Prof. Dr. Albert Jeltsch
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Tim Ricken
Prof. Dr. Syn Schmitt
Prof. Dr. Jörg Löschke
Dr. Nobert Röhrl
Markus Lion
Christian Hug
Amatus Beyer