Assurance of Animal Care (animal use protocol):  Protocol in Word Format

Request form for use of housing space in the Vivarium.

If you are working with tissue collected from animals post-mortem, and you are not causing the death of the animal, you still must fill out an IACUC form. In this instance use the following form:  Use of Post-Mortem Tissues Form

Please read the instructions carefully before filling out the document. Note that our process is electronic only. Submission of hard copies will be returned. Minor changes are frequently made to the form and, on occassion, we make major changes. Always obtain a new form from this site whenever you are preparing to submit an Assurance. Always submit your completed form and any modifications to the correct IACUC e-mail address (anjkt@uaa.alaska.edu).

Once approved, your protocol is not something to be forgotten, filed away, or lost. The approved IACUC protocol is, in essence, the Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for your work using live vertebrates. The protocol must be kept current with respect to changing techniques, objectives, and personnel. The protocol must be readily accessible in your lab or office and every individual working on your project must read and understand the protocol. All captive wildlife or laboratory animals used under this protocol must be identified by the IACUC number. This number must be on every surgery record, the animal management records, pathology records, and you must provide this number to have pharmaceuticals dispensed from veterinary services.

You will need to submit a brief annual report on activities conducted under this protocol.

Do you plan to use space in the VIVARIUM?

If you need space in the new Vivarium for your research, please fill out this form in the event that it has not been completed already.  This form is a prerequisite for anyone seeking funding for animal research and would like to house their research animals in the vivarium. 

Making a MODIFICATION?

The IACUC requires all modifications to existing Assurances be submitted for review and approval using the appropriate forms (available to the left). Wondering if you need a modification? Check the Definitions of significant changes. Please follow instructions on the Modification Request Form, submit it and a revised Assurance to the committee chair or administrator. Remember, changes to protocols cannot be implemented without prior IACUC approval.

Need confirmation of IACUC review and approval?

You must let the IACUC administrator (anjkt@uaa.alaska.edu) know if you require a confirmation letter indicating that the UAA IACUC has reviewed and approved your protocol. Provide the agency name and, if necessary, the name of the program director/chair with the address and fax to ensure that the letter is properly addressed.

NIH Policy:  Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare instituted a "Just-in-Time IACUC Review" for all National Institutes of Health proposals involving use of animal subjects that started October 1, 2002. On the NIH proposal submission date you need not submit an IACUC protocol for review and approval until you have received an award announcement. This helps both the investigator and the IACUC since reviews are limited to funded NIH research only.  This is a change in policy that only affects NIH proposals. Please read the following announcement regarding this policy so you understand your requirements. http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-02-064.html

IACUC letters for NSF proposals: To be safe, check with the individual program director regarding their requirements.  From the NSF GRANT PROPOSAL GUIDE, Instructions for Proposal Preparation: For proposals involving the use of vertebrate animals, sufficient information must be provided within the 15-page project description to allow for evaluation of the choice of species, number of animals to be used, and any necessary exposure of animals to discomfort, pain or injury. All projects involving vertebrate animals must have approval from the organization’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) prior to the issuance of an NSF award. The box for “Vertebrate Animals” must be checked on the Cover Sheet with the IACUC approval date (if available) identified in the space provided. If the IACUC has not reviewed the proposed work, the proposer should include the date at which the review is scheduled to be completed.

Other funding agencies: Be sure to check requirements well in advance of submission!

REMEMBER: It is the principle investigator's responsibility to ensure that all requirements for the use of live vertebrates are met. Please contact the IACUC (anjkt@uaa.alaska.edu) if you have questions or are unsure about your responsibilities.

Use of Prescription and Controlled Substances in Research

Veterinary Services will not dispense pharmaceuticals needed for research unless they are listed on an approved Assurance of Animal Care form. Regardless of source, you are expected to adequately store and maintain appropriate records for all pharmaceuticals. Animal treatments can only be conducted under supervision of the UAA Attending Veterinarian or a veterinarian designated in your approved Assurance of Animal Care form. Contact Dr. Eric Murphy or Joanne Thordarson for more information or if you need controlled substances for research unrelated to animal use.