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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


Who must apply for review of projects involving animals by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)?
If I'm not applying for funding for my research, do I still have to go through the IACUC?
What's the worst that can happen if I don't get IACUC approval?
Where do I get an application form for IACUC review?
I'm working with other project directors on this project. How should I fill out the application form?
Where do I send my completed application?
What happens after I submit my form?
What are the different levels of IACUC review?
I need to plan data collection around IACUC approval. How long does review take?
How often does the IACUC meet?
What does the IACUC look for in an application?
How do I know the IACUC will understand my proposed research?
Do I have to attend the IACUC meeting when my project is reviewed?
How do I know when my project has been approved?
I'm conducting all or part of my research off-site (at a non-UNH site). Should I apply for project approval through the other site's IACUC and the UNH IACUC?
All the work in my study will be done by other researchers at a non-UNH site (domestic or foreign) via a subagreement or as part of a collaboration. I won't be handling any vertebrate animals. What do I need to do for UNH IACUC purposes?
How do I modify an approved project?
How do I extend the study beyond the approval period?
I still have questions, who can help?

Who must apply for review of projects involving animals by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)?
Any UNH faculty, staff, or student who intends to conduct research or instruction that involves vertebrate animals must apply for and receive unconditional IACUC approval (approval without contingency) before beginning that research or instruction. This applies to ALL research involving vertebrate animals, not just clinical research. Field studies, training in research methodologies, and standard husbandry courses must be reviewed and approved by the IACUC (this is a representation of likely projects, and not an exhaustive list). Please note that only UNH faculty and staff may be principal investigators of record for IACUC purposes. Please check with Animal Resources Office (ARO) staff ( , 603-862-4629) or Research Conduct and Compliance Services (RCCS) staff ( , 603-862-2003).

If I'm not applying for funding for my research, do I still have to go through the IACUC?
Yes. Any research project involving animal subjects must be submitted to the IACUC, regardless of funding source. Project review for protection of animal subjects is made without regard to funding source.

What's the worst that can happen if I don't get IACUC approval?
Aside from potential ethical and animal care implications, bypassing IACUC review leads to other consequences:

Students
~ Funding may be withheld - IACUC approval is required for UROP, IROP, SURF, McNair and other grant programs. These programs will not release funds without IACUC approval.

~ Credit may be withheld - UNH may, at its discretion, refuse to grant students course credit for research conducted without IACUC approval.

~ Dissertation or thesis work will not be accepted - Graduate students must present to the Graduate School evidence of IACUC approval for their projects involving vertebrate animal subjects. Thesis or dissertation work will not be accepted without it. Degrees will not be awarded for work based on non-IACUC-reviewed projects.

~ Articles may not be published - Most professional journals require evidence of IACUC approval when considering articles for publication.

Faculty and Staff
~ Funding may be withheld - Federal sponsors, and virtually all private sponsors, require IACUC approval as a condition of funding. Sponsors may postpone review of proposals for which review is not complete/pending at the time of proposal submission. Some sponsors will not release funds to the University for the project director's use without IACUC approval. OSR will not set up accounts for projects lacking necessary IACUC approval.

~ Articles may not be published - Most professional journals require evidence of IACUC approval when considering articles for publication.

~ UNH will not support unapproved research - Liability issues arising from unapproved research become the responsibility of the project director. Persons conducting unapproved research are deemed to be acting outside the scope of authority granted them by the University. The University will not, therefore, provide a project director of an unapproved project the resources to answer a liability complaint.

Where do I get an application form for IACUC review?
In Person
Applications are available from RCCS staff (Room 102 or 103, second floor, Service Building).

Via the Web
IACUC application materials and information are available at http://www.unh.edu/osr/compliance/iacuc.html#application.

By Phone
You may call 603-862-2003 to request an application form or to ask questions about the IACUC application process.

I'm working with other project directors on this project. How should I fill out the application form?
The IACUC will want to know the name and background of each person on the project (see application instructions), but only one person should be listed on the application form as the principal investigator. If necessary, submit affiliated staff information on an additional sheet of paper. Only a UNH staff or faculty member may serve as a project director on a project involving vertebrate animals.

Where do I send my completed application?
Return your completed application to the Research Conduct and Compliance Services, Office of Sponsored Research, Service Building. You may fax your completed application to 603-862-3564. If you're mailing your application from off-campus, the mailing address is:

University of New Hampshire
Office of Sponsored Research - IACUC
51 College Road, Service Building
Durham, NH 03824

What happens after I submit my form?
Once the application is received, it is assigned a number and is routed for IACUC review. Project directors are notified as soon as possible, in writing, of the IACUC's decision.

What are the different levels of IACUC review?
At UNH, there is only one level of IACUC review; review at a convened IACUC meeting.

I need to plan data collection around IACUC approval. How long does review take?
PLEASE NOTE! You may not begin your research until the IACUC has given your project full unconditional approval (approval without contingencies).

The review process for projects submitted can take a month or more to complete. You should include sufficient time in your research plan as allowance for any IACUC-required changes to the research project. Many revisions are considered by a subcommittee of the full IACUC. Substantive revisions usually return to the IACUC for review at a convened meeting.

How often does the IACUC meet?
The IACUC generally meets once each month throughout the year, including summer. A quorum of the IACUC must be present for studies to be approved.

What does the IACUC look for in an application?
The IACUC seeks

  • Research design that is sound, given the proposed use of animal subjects in the project,
  • Balance between risks to the animal(s) and potential benefits, and
  • A thoughtful and comprehensive overview of the project, including a layperson's overview of the project (written in language that would be understandable to the general community if issued as a press release).

How do I know the IACUC will understand my proposed research?
The IACUC is a standing committee of at least five individuals, including faculty, researchers and members of the community at large. Individual experiences and interests cross diverse areas, from behavioral research to field studies, but statutory requirements dictate that membership must always include:

  • One Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, with training or experience in laboratory animal science and medicine, who has direct or delegated program authority and responsibility for activities involving animals at UNH,
  • One practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals,
  • One member whose primary concerns are in a nonscientific area (for example, ethicist, lawyer, member of the clergy), and
  • One individual who is not affiliated with the institution in any way other than as a member of the IACUC, and is not a member of the immediate family of a person who is affiliated with the institution.

When projects under review require input beyond that of the IACUC, it seeks assistance from qualified persons outside its membership. While outside experts may inform the IACUC's decisions, they do not vote on UNH projects presented for review.

Do I have to attend the IACUC meeting when my project is reviewed?
Generally speaking, no. If the IACUC has several questions, or believes the project director could provide valuable insight for review, the IACUC will set a mutually convenient time to meet with the project director to discuss the project.

How do I know when my project has been approved?
You will receive written notification of the status of your project following review at a convened meeting. The IACUC will also identify any required revisions at that time.

I'm conducting all or part of my research off-site (at a non-UNH site). Should I apply for project approval through the other site's IACUC and the UNH IACUC?
If the other site has an IACUC
Yes. Many universities and other institutions have their own IACUCs. If the site of your research has an IACUC, the site IACUC and the UNH IACUC must both approve your project before you start. You may submit your project for review to UNH at the same time you submit your project to the other institution's IACUC for review, or you may submit the project after the other institution's review is completed. Remember that review and approval requirements may vary among institutions, so you should familiarize yourself with each IACUC's policies. You should also plan your research chronology accordingly.

If the other site doesn't have an IACUC
Where a facility has no IACUC (as may be the case with farms, etc.), you should seek approval from the UNH IACUC and, of course, ask appropriate personnel (e.g., farm manager, facility director) for permission to conduct your research at the facility. Site personnel involved in your project should be listed among the project personnel on the UNH IACUC application.

All the work in my study involving vertebrate animals will be conducted by other researchers at a non-UNH site (domestic or foreign) via a subagreement or as part of a collaboration. I won't be handling any vertebrate animals. What do I need to do for UNH IACUC purposes?
In accordance with UNH’s Assurance with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), if the other site holds an OLAW Assurance and is registered with the USDA, then the UNH IACUC requires:

If the other site has an IACUC but does not hold an OLAW Assurance and/or is not registered with the USDA, the site needs to enter into an agreement with an OLAW-Assured, USDA-registered institution for that IACUC to review the protocol and be the IACUC of record. (See above bulleted list of UNH IACUC requirements.) Alternatively, the UNH researcher can serve as the principal investigator of record and submit a protocol to the UNH IACUC for review.

If the other site does not have an IACUC, the site needs to enter into an agreement with an OLAW-Assured, USDA-registered institution for that IACUC to review the protocol and be the IACUC of record. (See above bulleted list of UNH IACUC requirements.) Alternatively, the UNH researcher can serve as the principal investigator of record and submit a protocol to the UNH IACUC for review.

How do I modify an approved project?
Changes to an IACUC-approved project must be reviewed and approved by the IACUC prior to their implementation. Modifications are reviewed at regularly convened meetings, so plan accordingly.

To submit proposed changes for IACUC review, send a cover letter (be sure to include the IACUC number from your approval letter) with a summary of modifications you wish to make to the RCCS Manager. Attach information on new or revised procedures, measures, etc., as appropriate.

How do I extend the study beyond the approval period?
Any project in good standing may be extended. If your project will continue beyond one year from the "APP'L DATE" on your approval letter, complete an Annual Review Form (available from the RCCS staff upon request or emailed to you approximately 60 days before the approval end date), and attach a letter requesting a time extension for your project. If you are proposing changes to your project along with the extension, include appropriate materials as you would for a modification.

At the end of three years, each project must be closed, and a new application submitted to the IACUC for review. You will be emailed a "Year Three Review Form" and a current copy of your current IACUC-approved animal project. The new application must be received by the IACUC and reviewed before the current approval lapses. Please plan accordingly to avoid disruption in research or instruction.

I still have questions, who can help?
Email or call the ARO (603-862-4629) for assistance.