Animal Care and Use Program

Submit your applications via email attachment(s) to animalcare@MiamiOH.edu. A detailed set of instructions for the new research application process is contained on the cover page of each form.

New Project Application Forms

• General Animal Use Application
  • For submitting a teaching, research or breeding protocol and may include, but is not limited to, trapping, housing of animals, transport or holding of animals for more than a few minutes, injections, surgeries or sacrifice of the animals during or at the end of the study
• For observations or momentary restraint in research
  • For  animal observations and momentary contact with animals as part of the research objectives
• For observations or momentary restraint in teaching
  • For classes that will involve animal observations and momentary contact with animals (personnel) as part of the class objectives (ex. manually holding a small animal to allow students to observe its characteristics)
• IACUC Protocol Personnel Form
• Procedures and Housing Application
  • For areas outside the Lab Animal Facility or ERC
• Application to Use Tissue or Carcasses of Vertebrate Animals in Teaching or Research
  
  • For animal tissues or carcasses obtained from sources external to Miami

Access New Project Application.

Post-Approval Modification and Reporting Forms

• Modification or Amendment to an Approved Protocol
  • For a change including, but not limited to, a method, changes in the numbers of animals needed, changes in the species, change in PI, or other changes in consultation with the IACUC chair or veterinarian
• Personnel Commitment Agreement
  • By electronically signing this document, each person agrees to uphold the best practices set forth for responsible conduct of research. 
• Occupational Health and Safety Screening
  • Steps for Health Screening
  • Animal Exposure and Health History Form (OCC Health & Safety Form C)

Access Post-Approval Modification and Reporting Form.

Researchers should reach out to animalcare@MiamiOH.edu with questions or concerns.

IACUC Review Process

IACUC Review Process - Full Committee Review (FCR)

1. PI submits the completed application and the application is sent to the IACUC committee members to review. 
2. The committee will choose from two methods to review the protocol called the Full Committee Review (FCR) or Designated Member Review (DMR).
3. During FCR, an outcome of at least three possible scenarios may occur: 
   1. Committee may approve, require modifications the PI addresses, or withhold approval of protocol. They may also continue discussions at another convened meeting or begin  the DMR Process.

IACUC Review Process & Designated Member Review (DMR)

1. After the initial 5-day waiting period, if FCR is not called, the Designated Member Review (DMR) process begins. 
2. The IACUC Chair appoints a member of the committee to serve as the DMR and the committee reviews the protocol over the next two weeks. 
3. The IACUC Chair compiles all comments/questions into the Chair's Review Letter and sends it to the PI. The PI responds to comments. This continues until a determination is rendered.  Designated Member (DM) approval is required for all responses.
   

Basis for Oversight

For Investigators/Instructors using vertebrate animals, review of the protocol for this use is required by two federal agencies:

• The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
• The U.S. Public Health Service (PHS)

The USDA and PHS requirements are similar and the systems of oversight are interconnected and complementary. PHS provides for planning, documentation, and reporting and USDA operates by conducting facilities inspections and review of approved protocols. Most federal funding agencies require compliance with PHS policy and rules, as do many private foundations. Miami maintains a statement of assurance, the Animal Welfare Assurance (AWA), approved by the PHS. The AWA details how Miami University will comply with the PHS policy and rules (as well as those of the USDA). Miami University’s Assurance and USDA Site Certification numbers are listed on the IACUC home page.

Miami Institutional Official (IO)

The person at the institution with operational and legal responsibility for providing a system that meets regulatory and contractual requirements. At Miami, this is the Vice President for Research and Innovation. Direct responsibility reverts to the institutional CEO if the IO is not able or available to respond to program requirements.

Miami Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

Federal guidelines state that the University CEO (President), or his/her designee, shall appoint an IACUC consisting of not less than 5 members and including at least:

• A doctor of veterinary medicine
• A practicing scientist experienced in research involving animals
• A member whose primary concerns are in a nonscientific area (e.g., ethicist, lawyer, clergy)
• An 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 family of a person who is affiliated with the institution

Functions of the IACUC

• Review at least once every 6 months the institution's program for humane care and use of animals
• Inspect at least once every 6 months all of the institution's animal facilities
• Prepare reports of the IACUC activities above
• Review concerns involving care and use of animals
• Make recommendations to the Institutional Official about any aspect of the animal program, facilities, or personnel training
• Review and approve, require modifications to, or withhold approval of activities related to the care and use of animals
• Review and approve, require modifications to, or withhold approval of proposed significant changes in use of animals in ongoing activities
• Be authorized by the institution to suspend an activity involving regulated animals