Tips to Speed Up Your Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Approval

  • Always download the protocol form from the IACUC website to ensure you have the most current version (see IACUC Forms, Instructions, & Samples).
  • Use lay terminology: The scope and animal procedures should be written in lay terms. The IACUC has both scientific and non-scientific members, so it is important to use language that is clear to the general public.
  • Answer all questions: Make sure you answer all the questions on the form; if a question does not apply say N/A (not applicable). For example, a common mistake with administered substances is to omit information about concentration, dose, route and frequency.
  • List all personnel: Identify all personnel who will work on the protocol. In addition, describe how he/she is qualified to perform the procedure(s) to be conducted.
  • Pain and distress: If the procedures will cause pain and distress, you will need to describe in detail your monitoring plan, criteria for removing the animal from the study, and strategies to relieve pain (for example, the use of analgesics). Please refer to the USDA Pain Category (Word) classification and examples document for guidance.
  • Justify animal numbers: You must provide an explanation of how the animal numbers were selected. If possible, a power analysis should be completed. If you believe a power analysis is not appropriate, you still must explain how you arrived at the estimated number of animals needed.
  • Be consistent: All sections of the protocol must be consistent. For example, make sure animal numbers match throughout the protocol.
  • Provide grant information: Attach a copy of your method or vertebrate animal section from your grant to the protocol.
  • Amendments: Make sure that the proposed amendment fits with the existing approved objectives. If the amendment significantly changes the original protocol, a new protocol submission may be more appropriate. You may contact the UMaine IACUC office if you are unsure if an amendment or a new protocol is needed.
  • Satellites: Make sure your study location has been inspected, has a satellite facility designation and disaster plan, and is approved by the IACUC.