Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) Forms
NOTICE The VCU Office of Research has implemented a module of the VCUeRA (VCU electronic Research Administration) system for electronic submission of IACUC protocols. Use of the electronic system is mandatory for all submissions (including annual reviews, all amendments, and responses to post-approval monitoring) beginning April 15. NOTE: PIs must use the electronic system to submit new protocols and three-year renewals for pre-review in April and may submit as early as April 10. No paper submissions will be reviewed at the May 2008 meeting. The deadline for use of the traditional paper submission process for new or three-year renewals is Monday, March 17 (i.e., pre-review deadline for April 2008 meeting)
Protocol Pre-Review Required The IACUC now requires that principal investigators make use of its pre-review process. PIs must use the new electronic system to submit new protocols and three-year renewals for pre-review. Two IACUC members will conduct an initial review. One of the members will contact the principal investigator regarding any clarifications, additional information needed, and/or questions that the IACUC may raise. After pre-review, the principal investigator is responsible for submitting the completed protocol through the electronic system so that it is received by the IACUC no later than the last day of the month preceding the meeting.
Using this process, it is likely that the principal investigators will have fewer issues to address in rewriting protocols. We have received favorable feedback from investigators who have used this process. The VCU IACUC has developed several guides that may be useful for investigators in completing the protocol form. Guidelines are available by clicking here and at Three Rs.
The protocol form must be completed by the principal investigator using lay terms (allowing all members of the IACUC to thoroughly understand the proposed use of the animals). All pertinent questions must be answered and all applicable sections of the protocol form must be completed. In addition, all procedures and drugs and/or devices must be fully described. Ambiguous, incomplete, or insufficiently explained procedures may require the return of the protocol submission to the investigator for clarification, which would result in a delay in the review process.
Please note: A VCU Conflict of Interest (COI) Disclosure Statement is required for each "investigator". See definition of "investigator" provided in the COI Disclosure Statement. This document can be uploaded as an additional document into the VCUeRA system or submitted in hard copy to the IACUC.
Hazardous Materials Approval Form OEHS Protocols involving hazardous materials will be accepted for pre-review with OEHS approval pending. However, OEHS approval must be obtained no later than the last day of the month preceding the IACUC meeting for the IACUC review to proceed. The VCU Office of Environmental Health and Safety (OEHS) can provide guidance on use of biohazards in protocols.
Personnel Qualifications Protocols will be accepted for pre-review before all personnel have a Student/Employee Health Services Registration Letter on file with the IACUC and training taken at AALAS Learning Library. However, all registration letters must be on file and training taken no later than the last day of the month preceding the IACUC meeting for the IACUC review to proceed. Registration letters can be uploaded as additional documents into the VCUeRA system or submitted in hard copy to the IACUC.
Forms Notification to VCU IACUC for Short Term (not to exceed 12 weeks) Animal Handler(s) Employee/Student Health Service Registration Letter Conflict of Interest Disclosure Statement Disclosure Supplement Form Sample Moribundity Scale