Animal Research Performed at Other Institutions
- Background
- Requirements for Registration of Offsite Research
- Submission Procedures and Review Process
Background
All research activities performed under the direction of UCI personnel or supported by UCI-managed funds must comply with UCI’s policies and procedures, regardless of whether the actual work is performed in UCI facilities or at other locations. The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at UCI will generally accept the review and approval of the offsite institution’s IACUC or comparable regulatory committee upon submission of appropriate documentation demonstrating the support and collaboration of the offsite institution and compliance with federal regulations governing the ethical care and use of animals.
Requirements for Registration of Offsite Research
Federal regulations require that all research funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) be conducted only at assured institutions. Therefore, if a UCI project funded by federal money involves a subcontract to another institution for live-animal research, that institution must provide evidence of an Animal Welfare Assurance (domestic institutions) or a Statement of Compliance (foreign institutions) with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW). Domestic and foreign institutions with assurances on file are listed on the OLAW website.
This requirement does not apply to projects supported by UCI funds from a non-federal source. However, an appropriate agreement between UCI and the offsite institution (e.g., subcontract) may be required; investigators are strongly encouraged to consult with Sponsored Projects personnel regarding this issue.
NOTE: A protocol application must be reviewed and approved by UCI’s IACUC for any work involving live vertebrate animals that takes place in a UCI facility. UCI’s IACUC will not accept the approval of another institution’s IACUC for animal research performed entirely or in part in a UCI facility.
Submission Procedures and Review Process
Lead Researchers contemplating an offsite collaboration should submit the following information to the IACUC Administrative Office:
- The first three pages of the UCI IACUC Application to Use Animals in Research or Teaching, completed and signed by the appropriate personnel.
- A copy of the protocol that has been reviewed and approved by the offsite institution’s Animal Care and Use Committee or equivalent regulatory body.
- The UCI IACUC Investigator’s Assurance Statement, signed by the UCI lead researcher responsible for the project.
The submission will be reviewed by the IACUC Chair and, if appropriate, registered as an offsite project. UCI investigators are required to submit annual evidence of continuing review and approval from the offsite institution.
