IACUC Protocol Submission & Review

1. Submit Required Documentation

A. Complete the required training. Visit the Training Page for detailed instructions. All personnel (faculty, staff, and students) included on an IACUC protocol must complete the following training courses or provide equivalent training documents to the IACUC Administrative Office:

  1. CITI course “Working with the IACUC”. For triennial renewal complete “Working with the IACUC Refresher Course”
  2. CITI course “Reducing Pain and Distress in Laboratory Mice and Rats”
  3. Laboratory Safety Training Requirements
  4. CITI course for species specific training described in the protocol.
  5. Required for personnel working with research related animal contact must complete Occupational Health:

*Research Personnel Training Record
Research personnel participating in activities with live animals require hands-on training of the procedures they will be performing with live animals. Documentation of this training ensures that anyone handling live animals is adequately trained to do so. One training record sheet should be maintained for EACH member of the study team to document the training they received related to their assigned activities with live animals. Submission of this form to the IACUC is NOT required. Please maintain these records within your lab.

B. Submitting a Protocol

In order to use vertebrate animals in research or teaching, an animal protocol must be completed and reviewed by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). No ordering or use of animals may begin prior to receiving written approval of the IACUC. Animal Care and Use protocols are submitted via the Research Compliance System (RCS): Investigators are encouraged to consult with the Attending Veterinarian for questions regarding protocol design, and the IACUC Administrator for questions regarding IACUC submission processes.

Live Animals Please go to Research Compliance System (RCS) to submit your study application.

Non-living unfixed animal tissues Please use the IACUC Tissue Protocol Application.

Collaboration with someone outside of Rice with animal research Please go to Research Compliance System (RCS) and submit your study application form with the IACUC MOU form.

The MOU establishes the responsibility for offsite animal care and use, animal ownership, and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) review and oversight (Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, 8th edition, page 15).

2. Protocol Submission Review

Pre-Review is conducted by Compliance Administrator, Attending Veterinarian, and Environmental Health and Safety representative. The pre-review may involve revisions to clarify and resolve obvious questions or concerns with the information provided on the protocol before it receives IACUC review. Required IACUC training will be verified for completion.

3. Committee Review

The IACUC reviews projects by one of the two methods:

  • Full Committee Review (FCR) for protocols involving: Death as an Endpoint, Food and Fluid Regulation or Restriction, Prolonged Restraint, Multiple Survival Surgery, Exemptions from Standards of Care, and Animal Welfare Act Regulations (AWAR) Covered species
  • Designated-Member Review (DMR)

For more information, please see RU Guidelines on IACUC Protocol Review and RU Guidelines on Changes and Modifications to approved IACUC Protocols.

4. Communicate Outcome

Utilizing the electronic protocol system the IACUC will notify investigators in writing of its decision to approve or withhold approval of protocols, or when modifications are required to secure IACUC approval. If the IACUC decides to withhold approval of an activity, the reasons for its decision will be in writing and give the investigator an opportunity to respond in writing. If the investigator does not respond to written requests for additional information or modification as requested by FCR or DMR after 90 days then the protocol will be administratively withdrawn unless an arrangement with the IACUC office has been made and documented in writing.