An Ethical Advisory Board (EAB) is an independent group that provides ethical guidance for research programs, especially when studies involve sensitive populations or complex risk considerations.
EABs may advise on consent approaches, recruitment fairness, community engagement, and risk mitigation strategies. Their input helps identify ethical blind spots that may not be fully addressed through operational planning alone. EAB recommendations can strengthen transparency and trust, particularly in novel or high-impact studies. This advisory role complements formal ethics review by supporting proactive ethical governance.