Annual Reviews, Modifications of Approved Protocols, and 3 year Renewals

Annual Reviews, Modifications of Approved Protocols, and 3-year Renewals

Annual Reviews
Submitting a Modification (Amendment) to an Approved Protocol
3-year Renewals

Annual Reviews

Even though you may be approved for a multiple year project, the IACUC must review each protocol on an annual basis as required by federal regulations. You will be sent a reminder two months before the anniversary of the original approval date. Updated information and any changes in the animal use protocol must be supplied on the Continuing Review form. Approvals will be extended for another year if there are no major changes in the protocol.

Submitting a Modification (Amendment) to an Approved Protocol

If there are any changes to the protocol during the course of the research project or upon annual renewal, an amendment should be submitted to the IACUC for approval using the Continuing Review form.

The following minor changes to an approved animal use and care protocol can be submitted to the IACUC in the form of an amendment:

a) change of title
b) change of funding agency
c) addition or deletion of personnel
d) change of the animal strain
e) change or addition of minor procedures
f) increase in animal numbers with justification
g) addition of a new co?investigator
h) change of research facility
i) change in the method of euthanasia
j) change in anesthetic or drug dosage

The following major changes generally require a submission of the entire protocol (a completed Protocol Synopsis Form) for IACUC approval.

a) change of species
b) change of drug classification which will be administered to animals
c) change from type A to type B or C procedures (refer to the protocol instructions (link to protocol instructions) for information on procedure categories)
d) addition of major procedure (i.e. survival surgical manipulation or other procedures requiring anesthesia with recovery, procedures involving hazardous or infectious agents provided the PI also shows evidence of approval from the appropriate safety committee)
e) transfer of the protocol to a new principal investigator

The IACUC reserves the right to request a full protocol if deemed necessary for any protocol.

3-year Renewals

The Public Health Service policy requires a complete review of activities every three years. To do this, a completed Protocol Synopsis form must be submitted and approved by the IACUC.