IACUC Frequently Asked Questions

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Any research or teaching that involves vertebrate animals including observation (i.e. zoos, aquariums, field observations) should submit a protocol application.

The following are examples of projects that require full IACUC committee review.

  • Field Research or teaching with animal/environmental impact  |  Projects that have any form of animal/environmental impact
  • Classroom or Instructional use of living vertebrates |  Projects that utilize vertebrates in a classroom or instructional laboratory
  • Laboratory Research use of living vertebrates  |  Projects that use living vertebrates in a research laboratory

There are a few examples of projects that can be exempted from full IACUC review.  The following projects require an abbreviated amount of sections in the proposal application and can be approved by a smaller subsection of the committee.

  • Class Field trips - Observation only  |  Projects that have no impact to observed animals (i.e. attending the zoo, watching animals in the park, etc.)
  • Field Research – Observation only  |  Field projects that have no impact to either animals or the environment
  • Use of existing, previously acquired animal tissues or specimens  |  Projects that use tissues or specimens from animals that were NOT manipulated prior to death

All IACUC protocols should be submitted at least one semester prior to the intended start date of the project. The IACUC review is an iterative process and can require the applicant to undergo multiple rounds of revisions before approval. The length of the process is impacted by the thoroughness of the application and speed of responses from the applicant for information and edits requested by the IACUC.  

All completed applications are reviewed in the order they are received and can take a few months to process. The IACUC meets once a semester.  Applications should be submitted the semester prior to the proposed start date of the project to allow sufficient processing time.

You will be notified on the status of your IACUC protocol when it has been reviewed by the IACUC committee.  If you have any other questions please email the IACUC.

The IACUC is not staffed full-time and does not have a phone number or physical office location. All inquiries should be sent directly to the IACUC email. If your matter requires a phone conversation, an IACUC member will arrange one with you via email.

All applications are processed and reviewed in the order they are received and may take a full semester to complete. To ensure your application is not delayed in the review process, make sure your protocol application is thorough and all the necessary supporting documentation has been provided with your submission. 

You will receive email confirmation from the IACUC stating that your protocol application has been approved or your project has been exempted from full committee review.

If multiple institutions are engaged in a research project, an agreement can be enacted between the relevant IACUCs so that only one IACUC review is performed. The applicant must indicate in the IACUC application the activities conducted at the other site(s), and if IACUC approval has already been granted from the other site, include that approval notification with their submission. 

All communication will come in email from a member of the IACUC.

Your protocol application should be approved or exempted from full committee review by the IACUC prior to beginning your project.