TABLE 2. Aspects of Research Ethics Capacity: Existing Gaps and Future Directions.

Category of Capacity	Gaps in Research Ethics	Future Directions for Trainees
National Capacity	Lack of national regulations in research ethics in several countries Existing regulations do not fully address protections for vulnerable subjects Low budget priorities for research funding and training	Provide advice regarding the establishment of national guidelines in those countries lacking such documents and review existing guidelines to ensure comprehensiveness Provide consultancy role to their Ministries of Health regarding regulatory oversight of RECs and conduct of clinical trials Apply for EDCTP funding to strengthen capacity in national regulatory framework
Institutional Commitments	Inadequate institutional policies and procedures to instill values that promote ethical conduct in research (e.g., conflict of interest policies, appeal mechanisms, system of rewards and penalties, etc.). Lack of degree programs (diploma and master’s) in ethics and research ethics Insufficient research ethics content in curricula inadequqte budgets for research ethics commities	Help their institutions promote a culture of ethical conduct by incorporating organizational structures and processes that implement a set of shared values Inclusion of ethics teaching in the curriculum Development of degree programs in ethics and research ethics Advocate for adequate REC budgets
Research Ethics Committee Capacity	Suboptimal administrative structures that support REC functioning Lack of policies that promote independence of ethics committees Lack of member diversity Lack of member training	Help RECs develop standard operating procedures Adopt policies that enhance REC functioning (e.g., protocol submission and review policies, training requirements) Adopt quality assurance mechanisms Conduct membership training
Researchers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices in Research Ethics	Inadequate researchers’ knowledge of research ethics Suboptimal practices in research ethicsand responsible conduct in research.	Conduct training in research ethics and Good Clinical Practice
Research Participants’ Awareness of Their Rights and Under- standing of Research	Potential participants lack basic knowledge of research concepts, which reinforces presence of therapeutic misconception. Many patients are not aware of their rights as patients; similar findings might be present for research participants.	Conduct research to document participants’ knowledge of research and awareness of their rights Conduct awareness campaigns to enhance participants’ knowledge of their rights