Comments & suggestions should be directed to jroese@lssu.eduVisit my websiteAPPLICATION TO USE VERTEBRATE ANIMALSUniversity policy and federal law require a review of projects for humane treatment and judicious use of vertebrate animals. At Lake Superior State University, adherence to this policy and federal law is assured by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) through review of this Application to Use Vertebrate Animals (AUVA) for research, testing, or instruction. While fulfilling its responsibility to ensure the judicious use of animals, the IACUC also reviews applications for scientific or instructional merit. Projects Requiring ReviewThe Principal Investigator (PI) or Course Instructor (CI) must obtain approval from the IACUC before initiating research, testing, or, instructional use of vertebrates. Failure to do so is a violation of federal law. The following types of animal use do not require IACUC review:•Invertebrate animals•Whole dead animals not regulated by USDA e.g. ectothermic vertebrates, birds, Rattussp., and Mussp.•Animal tissues, fluids, internal organs, eggs, embryos, fetuses, etc. obtained as a commercial product or as a byproduct of another IACUC-approved research projectIf you are uncertain whether an IACUC review is required for your project, please contact the IACUC for a determination. The Application Review ProcessApplications are reviewed each academic semester. Completed applications should be submitted electronically to the IACUC. After an administrative review, applications are forwarded to members of the IACUC for a formal review. Following this review the project will be either:•Denied - The IACUC has determined that the project does not meet the standards of humane use, or has serious scientific flaws. No vertebrate use is approved.•Conditionally Approved - The IACUC has determined that the project does meet the standards of humane use, but exhibits minor scientific flaws or lacks clarity. The PI/CI must address these issues and re-submit a complete application. No vertebrate use is approved.•Approved - The IACUC has determined that the project meets the standards of humane use and is free of scientific flaws. Vertebrate use is approved.The PI/CI will be contacted by the IACUC to resolve any issues of concern to the IACUC members. Following approval, an Approval Number will be assigned. This Approval Number must be referenced on animal care and use documents and may be requested by outside inspectors. Approval Period and Annual ReviewIACUC approval is valid for a maximum of three years for faculty research projects or instructional activities. For multi-year projects, the PI/CI will be sent a brief Annual Review Form. Completion of this form is required for compliance with the regulations of the Federal Animal Welfare Act. Failure to return the Annual Review Form is a violation of federal law and will lead to inactivation of IACUC approval to use animals. The approval period for undergraduate research projects is limited to one year (undergraduate projects are eligible for renewal). Modifying Approved ApplicationsPrior to making significant changes in animal research activities, investigators must receive approval of the proposed changes from the IACUC. These changes should be described in a written narrative. The name of the PI/CI, current Approval Number, and title of the project must be referenced in the narrative. The PI/CI should be sure to describe all aspects in which the change may alter their approved protocol. This is best accomplished by reviewing the currently approved application, and addressing each question affected. A modification to an approved application undergoes the same review process as do new or renewal applications. Investigators should allow 2-3 weeks for review of modifications by the IACUC. General InstructionsThe application should be completed and submitted electronically. Complete the application in its entirety. Abbreviations must be clearly spelled out and/or defined upon first use. Applicants may find that they will be asked to provide brief answers regarding issues which they have discussed in detail in another part of the form. Please answer each question as stated and do not simply refer to another answer elsewhere in the application. Michigan Freedom of Information ActApplicants should be aware that approved applications may be obtained through the Michigan FOIA. Applications should be written in a manner which will allow them to sustain public scrutiny. Avoid unnecessary use of inflammatory descriptive language. For example, when discussing euthanasia, use the word "euthanize" and avoid the use of the words "sacrifice" and "kill". Where practical, include sufficient detail and explanations to address anticipated questions and concerns from the general public. Unacceptable ApplicationsReasons why applications may not be for review include, but are not limited to:•Incomplete applications•Use of an obsolete form•The PI/CI is not affiliated with LSSU•Use of technical language that a non-scientist might not understand in Questions 3 and 4•Inadequate description of animal use procedures in Question 11•A single composite answer to questions with multiple subparts•Missing signaturesDownload an Application•Invasive Procedures•Non-Invasive Procedures
Comments & suggestions
should be directed to
jroese@lssu.edu
Visit my website
APPLICATION TO USE VERTEBRATE ANIMALS
University policy and federal law require a review of projects for humane treatment and
judicious use of vertebrate animals. At Lake Superior State University, adherence to this
policy and federal law is assured by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
through review of this Application to Use Vertebrate Animals (AUVA) for research, testing, or
instruction. While fulfilling its responsibility to ensure the judicious use of animals, the IACUC
also reviews applications for scientific or instructional merit.
Projects Requiring Review
The Principal Investigator (PI) or Course Instructor (CI) must obtain approval from the IACUC
before initiating research, testing, or, instructional use of vertebrates. Failure to do so is a
violation of federal law. The following types of animal use do not require IACUC review:
•
Invertebrate animals
•
Whole dead animals not regulated by USDA e.g. ectothermic vertebrates, birds, Rattus
sp., and Mus sp.
•
Animal tissues, fluids, internal organs, eggs, embryos, fetuses, etc. obtained as a
commercial product or as a byproduct of another IACUC-approved research project
If you are uncertain whether an IACUC review is required for your project, please contact the
IACUC for a determination.
The Application Review Process
Applications are reviewed each academic semester. Completed applications should be
submitted electronically to the IACUC. After an administrative review, applications are
forwarded to members of the IACUC for a formal review. Following this review the project will
be either:
•
Denied - The IACUC has determined that the project does not meet the standards of
humane use, or has serious scientific flaws. No vertebrate use is approved.
•
Conditionally Approved - The IACUC has determined that the project does meet the
standards of humane use, but exhibits minor scientific flaws or lacks clarity. The PI/CI
must address these issues and re-submit a complete application. No vertebrate use is
approved.
•
Approved - The IACUC has determined that the project meets the standards of humane
use and is free of scientific flaws. Vertebrate use is approved.
The PI/CI will be contacted by the IACUC to resolve any issues of concern to the IACUC
members. Following approval, an Approval Number will be assigned. This Approval Number
must be referenced on animal care and use documents and may be requested by outside
inspectors.
Approval Period and Annual Review
IACUC approval is valid for a maximum of three years for faculty research projects or
instructional activities. For multi-year projects, the PI/CI will be sent a brief Annual Review
Form. Completion of this form is required for compliance with the regulations of the Federal
Animal Welfare Act. Failure to return the Annual Review Form is a violation of federal law and
will lead to inactivation of IACUC approval to use animals. The approval period for
undergraduate research projects is limited to one year (undergraduate projects are eligible for
renewal).
Modifying Approved Applications
Prior to making significant changes in animal research activities, investigators must receive
approval of the proposed changes from the IACUC. These changes should be described in a
written narrative. The name of the PI/CI, current Approval Number, and title of the project
must be referenced in the narrative. The PI/CI should be sure to describe all aspects in which
the change may alter their approved protocol. This is best accomplished by reviewing the
currently approved application, and addressing each question affected. A modification to an
approved application undergoes the same review process as do new or renewal applications.
Investigators should allow 2-3 weeks for review of modifications by the IACUC.
General Instructions
The application should be completed and submitted electronically. Complete the application in
its entirety. Abbreviations must be clearly spelled out and/or defined upon first use. Applicants
may find that they will be asked to provide brief answers regarding issues which they have
discussed in detail in another part of the form. Please answer each question as stated and do
not simply refer to another answer elsewhere in the application.
Michigan Freedom of Information Act
Applicants should be aware that approved applications may be obtained through the Michigan
FOIA. Applications should be written in a manner which will allow them to sustain public
scrutiny. Avoid unnecessary use of inflammatory descriptive language. For example, when
discussing euthanasia, use the word "euthanize" and avoid the use of the words "sacrifice"
and "kill". Where practical, include sufficient detail and explanations to address anticipated
questions and concerns from the general public.
Unacceptable Applications
Reasons why applications may not be for review include, but are not limited to:
•
Incomplete applications
•
Use of an obsolete form
•
The PI/CI is not affiliated with LSSU
•
Use of technical language that a non-scientist might not understand in Questions 3 and 4
•
Inadequate description of animal use procedures in Question 11
•
A single composite answer to questions with multiple subparts
•
Missing signatures
Download an Application
•
Invasive Procedures
•
Non-Invasive Procedures
