User Guides
These ECOS User Guides are intended to assist and guide the NHG Health & NUHS Research Communities, our Partner Institutions and Industry Partners when they are using the ECOS system.
These ECOS User Guides are intended to assist and guide the NHG Health & NUHS Research Communities, our Partner Institutions and Industry Partners when they are using the ECOS system.
You can also use the Search Function (found on the page's top-right corner) to locate the information you need.
Do check back regularly for updates and new additions.
General ECOS Functionality & Overview
ECOS Quick Start Guide & General Overview
This quick start guidebook covers key topics for new Public Healthcare Institutions (PHI) & non-PHI Users, including how to create ECOS user accounts, complete minimum training requirements, declare Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI), navigate the ECOS interface, and submit Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications.
(Last updated: 24 March 2026)
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Submitting Minimum Training Certification
This guidebook will show ECOS Users how to access the Minimum Training Certificate Section to upload their training certificates into their User Profile to obtain ECOS Label for research.
(Last updated: 16 January 2026)
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Submitting Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Declarations
This guidebook introduces the Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) Module and shows how Users can submit their FCOI Declarations as well as responding to queries from the FCOI Secretariat.
(Last updated: 26 Dec 2025)
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ECOS – User Guide to Passwordless Sign-In
Step-by-step guide to enable your passwordless login on ECOS.
(Last updated: 18 June 2026)
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IRB Ethics Submissions
Overview of IRB Ethics Submissions
This Guidebook provides an overview and user-orientation to the Institutional Review Board (IRB) Module. It explains the IRB submission process for new Study Submissions and for the various reporting Forms for approved active studies.
(Last updated: 24 March 2026)
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IRB Ethics Application Form - List of Sections & Questions
This guidebook provides a complete listing of all the Sections and Questions in the IRB Application Form for reference so that researchers can draft their IRB Application Form.
(Last updated: 29 August 2025)
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Mastering IRB Submissions – Key Points to Note for Effective Response
The detailed guide outlines the process step by step, emphasizing crucial points to make your responses effective and impactful.
(Last updated: 26 Dec 2025)
Download here (opens in new tab)
Note: To access the jumplinks within the PDF, click on 'Download Original' when downloading.
Managing Your Research Activity
Using the Clinical Research Management System (CRMS) to manage research projects and activities
This guidebook introduces the new ECOS Clinical Research Management System (CRMS) module which is a useful clinical research management tool at the Site, Study and Institutional level.
Researchers can use the CRMS module to record, track and manage their respective clinical research projects and activities, including managing the User Authorization List which controls user access to CRMS, IRB and other modules for Study Team Roles (ie: Study Administrators, Collaborators, Study Sponsor, etc).
(Last updated: 24 March 2026)
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Responding to the NHG Health Research Institution for Deviation/ Non-Compliance & Serious Adverse Events from HBR Studies
How to manage DNC & SAE from HBR Studies
This guidebook provides Users with a step-by-step guidance to help users navigate the module.
(Last updated 26 Dec 2025)
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Standing Database (SDB) Submissions
SDB User Module Guide
A. For Users - This guide provides Users with step-by-step guidance on the submission of an SDB application and navigation of the module.
B. For Endorsers (ROC/DR/IR) – This guide provides endorsers with step-by-step guidance on the endorsement of an SDB application and navigation of the module.
These guides are only applicable to NHG Health and NUHS users
(Last update on 26 Dec 2025).
For Users – Download here (opens in new tab)
For Endorsers (RDOC/DR/IR) – Download here (opens in new tab)
SDB Forms Guidebook
This guidebook provides a complete listing of all the Questions in the SDB Application Form, Non-Compliance Report (NCR) Form and Status Report Form (SRF).
(Last updated 10 October 2024)
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For ECOS Institution & Department Representatives
How Inst & Dept Reps can locate and complete their Endorsement Tasks
This guidebook is intended for ECOS Users who are appointed as Institution or Department Representatives (IR & DR). It provides information and a step-by-step guide on the IR & DR Ethics Submission Endorsement process.
(Last updated 26 Dec 2025)
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Research Quality Programmes
How to complete the PISAF & SCC
This guidebook contains step-by-step guidance for PIs/ Site-PIs/ Co-Investigators and Study Team Members to navigate the module interface and to complete the submission process for the PISAF/ SCC on ECOS Compliance module.
Only selected PIs will be informed to complete the PISAF/SCC.
(Last updated: 24 March 2026)
PISAF - Download here (opens in new tab)
SCC - Download here (opens in new tab)
ECOS Monitoring module
This guidebook introduces the ECOS Monitoring module, and provides guidance to Principal Investigator (PI) / Site Principal Investigator (Site PI)/ Co-Investigator (Co-I) and Study Team Member (STM) on how to navigate the module.
(Last updated: 24 March 2026)
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ECOS Audit module
This guidebook introduces the ECOS Audit module and provides guidance to Principal Investigator (PI) / Site Principal Investigator (Site PI)/ Co-Investigator (Co-I) and Study Team Member (STM) on how to navigate the module.
(Last updated: 26 Dec 2025)