Research Enterprise Newsletter - September 2007: Division of Animal Care News
IACUC reports on animal use approval changes
Over the last year, the IACUC has implemented several changes in the animal use approval process, resulting in a marked reduction in protocol approval times, even as expectations have risen regarding the quality and level of detail contained in the protocol submissions. As of July, the average time to approve a new protocol was 43 days, down from a January time of 62 days. Another change is the relaxed requirement for matching of grant and protocol titles, referred to as the "One-to-One" relationship between grant and protocol titles. An investigator can now change funding sources and/or protocol titles without submitting a new protocol. New protocol submission can also cover more than one funding source, provided that the animal number justification covers the aims of all sources included in the protocol. The approval process for Program Projects, Center Grants, and Salary-only Fellowship grants has also been simplified. A short form can be used in lieu of separate protocol review, but no additional animals or new procedures can be proposed through this streamlined mechanism. New forms have been developed for this, available on the IACUC and Grants and Contracts Management web pages.
IACUC announces upcoming changes
Over the next year, IACUC changes to the animal use approval process will include a new electronic protocol submission system, increased transparency of the review procedure, and an expansion of the standard operating procedure descriptions that investigators can use in preparing new protocols and modifications. Working together and taking advantage of this increased ease of submission, should continue reduce protocol approval times.
Office of Animal Welfare Assurance moves
The Office of Animal Welfare Assurance (formerly the IACUC office) has moved from the first floor S1316 MCN to the fourth floor S4322 MCN. Please send all hardcopy correspondence to the new address so that we may continue to provide efficient turnaround times. Phone numbers and all electronic addresses will remain unchanged.
