To initiate animal research at the BLiSc animal facility, all research projects involving use of animals require necessary approvals that are subject to the authority of IAUC (Internal Animal Users Committee) and IAEC (Institutional Animal Ethics Committee), regardless of funding source or other regulatory requirements.

 

IAEC APPROVALS

The IAEC has been constituted according to the CPCSEA (Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals) norms to supervise and evaluate all aspects of the animal care and use program. The IAEC approval of all the animal research proposals is a statutory requirement. There are two IAECs on campus – NCBS and InStem. The animal related research proposals are proposed using the CPCSEA “Form B” as per rule 8(a). The links to NCBS Form B, InStem Form B, IAEC Yearly progress report and guidelines for filling the Form B can be found below. Please visit the IAEC Project Proposal Flowchart to guide you on all the different institutional pre-requisites necessary. The IAEC meets biannually, usually in the months of June and December. Prior to IAEC committee meeting, ACRC management will categorize your projects and prompt you for following submissions according to your category. Below are the categories of IAEC projects and their corresponding documents required to be submitted to the IAEC committee. Please note all the animal research proposals will be pre-reviewed by the IAUC and then submitted to the IAEC for review.

 

NEW PROJECTS –  Submit NEW FORM B

For new projects, please submit the Form B (NCBS or InStem specific form depending on your institute).  Projects are approved for a maximum of three years.

 

RENEWAL PROJECTS – Submit NEW FORM B + IAEC YEARLY PROGRESS REPORT

For ongoing projects reaching their “IAEC approved END date” (3rd year anniversary); project renewal need to submitted via “Form B”. Also, submit the yearly progress report.

 

MODIFIED PROJECTS – Submit MODIFIED FORM B + IAEC YEARLY PROGRESS REPORT

- For ongoing project modifications, the previously approved Form B of the project needs to be resubmitted clearly mentioning the project modifications/add-ons in distinctly visible BOLD or Underlined text. The project modifications could include; numbers/strains of experimental animals, additional procedures, usage of new drugs/chemicals, new collaborators or new end-users.

 

APPROVED/ONGOING PROJECTS – Submit PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FORM B + IAEC YEARLY PROGRESS REPORT

- Upon IAEC approval, a IAEC Yearly Progress Report with the corresponding approved Form B needs be submitted every year for yearly extension.

 

COMPLETED PROJECTS – Submit IAEC YEARLY PROGRESS REPORT

- For completed projects, please state the research proposal has been completed and no extension is required in the IAEC Yearly Progress Report.

 

IAUC APPROVALS

CAGE SPACE REQUEST

In addition to your IAEC approved research proposal, the IAUC requests detailed information of the experimental animal groups and breeding scheme to better estimate the cage space, timelines and animal facility costs involved. The researcher requires to submit the “Cage Space Request Form” that details the species/strain/line/genotype of the experimental animals, number of animals per experimental group and SPF level requirements (Vivariums V1, V2, V3 or V4; SPF-1/SPF-2/non-SPF/ABSL2). Few guidelines and the process are outlined here to better estimate your cage space requirements.

ANIMAL IMPORTS

Additionally, in case you require to import animals or cryopreserved strains from other animal facilities, please do fill the “Animal Import Request Form”. The process and guidelines for animal import are summarized here.

 

Links to the different IAEC forms and documentation:

IAEC project proposal flowchart

- IAEC GUIDELINES FOR FILLING FORM B AND YEARLY PROGRESS REPORT

IAEC - NCBS-project proposal-formB

IAEC - Instem-project proposal-formB

IAEC - Yearly Progress Report

Animal Import Request Form

Cage Space Request Form

- ACRC animal care and service fees