IACUC Basics
Radford University has launched IRBManager
for the online submission of NEW IACUC applications,
amendments to existing protocols, and closures.
Use IRBManager for the submission of your new IACUC applications, modifications to your existing IACUC protocols, and closures. IRBManager can be accessed under OneCampus, logging on using your Radford University email address and password, and searching for Research Compliance / IRB Manager: IRB & IACUC.
Please see the IRBManager User Manual for help in getting started. The Research Compliance Office is always here to assist you with any questions you may have.
The submission of the Continuation/Annual Protocol Report is coming soon. Until that time, please continue to use the paper annual protocol report/continuation form.
Points to Remember as You Get Started
- IACUC CITI courses must be completed in addition to any other pieces of training as required by the Project PI or the IACUC. See the IACUC Training page for more information.
- Enrollment in the Occupational Health and Safety Program (OHSP) and OHS training (located on D2L) is required. Further information related to OHSP enrollment and required forms may be found on D2L. All personnel listed on the protocol must be enrolled prior to final approval of the IACUC protocol. Please see the EHS web page for contact information.
- Proof of Tetanus Vaccination (or the appropriate signed declination form) must be forwarded to the Radford University Environmental Health and Safety Office unless you are an enrolled student and have already provided proof of tetanus vaccination upon enrollment.
a) Proof of rabies vaccination is only required when the research activity requires the handling of bats and certain other mammals.
4. IACUC protocol documents including grant proposal pages for funded research must be completed and submitted with your online IACUC initial application.
Please review the Links page for additional information pertaining to the care and use of animals used in teaching and research. This includes links to federal regulations and agencies that oversee the protection and ethical treatment of animals used in teaching and research, as well as links regarding the care and use of specific species in teaching and research.
The Protocol Review Process
Administrative Pre-Review
The IACUC application will undergo a preliminary review by the Research Compliance Office to ensure all necessary aspects of the application are present. The PI will be contacted and the IACUC application returned for revisions if anything is missing or if any revisions are needed to improve the clarity of particular aspects of the IACUC proposal.
Veterinary Pre-Review
- Once the protocol had undergone preliminary review, the protocol will be sent to the Attending Veterinarian (AV) for review.
- The AV will examine the protocol for veterinary and specific animal care and use issues to ensure the well-being of the proposed vertebrate animals is properly maintained.
- If the AV has any comments or questions about the specifics of the methodology for the care and use of animals for the project, the protocol will be returned to the PI by the Research Compliance Office for revisions that need to be addressed before moving forward with the IACUC review process.
IACUC Review
- Following the preliminary and veterinary review of the IACUC application, the protocol will be sent to the IACUC for a complete review of the entire protocol. A review of the protocol can be conducted in one of two ways:
- Designated Member Review (DMR) - If a review of the protocol by the full committee is not requested, at least one member of the IACUC, designated by the Chairperson and qualified to conduct the review, shall review the research project(s). The DMR has the authority to approve, require modifications (to secure approval), or request a full committee review of the research project.
- Full Committee Review (FCR) - The IACUC proposal will be reviewed at a convened meeting of a quorum of the IACUC. Approval may be granted only after committee review with the approval vote of a majority of the quorum present. When a vote is called for, there can be several possible outcomes. Outright approval requires an affirmative vote by a majority of the convened quorum present. In the event that substantive questions prevent final approval, the committee can wait until the next meeting for revisions to be reviewed by the full committee. Alternatively, the committee can decide to handle the resubmission by the designated-member review process, with appropriate notation in the minutes.
- Designated Member Review (DMR) - If a review of the protocol by the full committee is not requested, at least one member of the IACUC, designated by the Chairperson and qualified to conduct the review, shall review the research project(s). The DMR has the authority to approve, require modifications (to secure approval), or request a full committee review of the research project.
Final approval and initiation of animal research may not begin until all outstanding concerns have been adequately addressed and approved by either the full committee or using the designated member review process.