NIH Grants and Funding
The ICARE Project was a U.S. interagency initiative of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). This group of federal agencies is involved in the welfare of animals used in research, teaching, and testing in the US. Although federal animal care and use standards vary, all endorse local oversight for the humane care and use of animals by an IACUC.
The aim of the ICARE Project was to empower U.S. Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) and their institutions to improve animal welfare and increase compliance with federal standards while minimizing regulatory burden. To accomplish this goal, the ICARE Project used active learning pedagogy which has been shown to increase the effectiveness of adult education in the factual and theoretical understanding of scientific and ethical issues by engaging the learner in activities that require the application of high-level concepts.
OLAW Conversations (archived descriptions and materials)
OLAW Conversations are no longer available. These were interactive virtual offerings from OLAW where information was presented by subject matter experts, and attendees added to the conversation by sharing their ideas, perspectives, and questions. Experts also weighed in on participant discussion to offer insights and ensure regulatory compliance, where applicable. Participation was encouraged from those involved in animal care and use programs, including IACUC members and staff, Institutional Officials, veterinarians, animal facilities personnel, administrators, consultants, and compliance and regulatory personnel. These sessions were not recorded and were discussion-focused, but slides from selected sessions may be found below.
The views expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of HHS; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Resources from Past OLAW Conversations
The following resources have been posted with permission from the speaker.
| Date | OLAW Conversations Topic |
|---|---|
| December 19, 2023 | Practical Approaches to Performance Standards |
| September 20, 2022 | Enrichment that Works |
| July 26, 2022 | Humane Endpoints |
| June 1, 2022 | Dysfunctional IACUCs: How to Spot and Proactively Address Issues |
| May 26, 2022 | Institutional Training Programs |
| March 31, 2022 | 21st Century Cures Community Q&A |
| February 15, 2022 | Inclusive IACUCs: Effective Ways to Leverage the Nonscientific and Nonaffiliated Members |
| January 19, 2022 | Top Noncompliances from an OLAW, USDA, and AAALAC Perspective: How to Learn from Noncompliances to Build a Better Animal Care and Use Program |
| September 16, 2021 | |
| September 10, 2021 | Refinements to Promote Social Housing While on Study |
| September 2, 2021 | Vaccine Hesitancy and Vaccination Issues in the Workplace |
| August 24, 2021 | OLAW Guidance on Annual Reports, Semiannual Inspections, and the AAALAC International Program Description |
| August 17, 2021 | Post COVID-19 Staff Shortages and Returning to Physical Workspaces |
ICARE Academies (archived descriptions and materials)
ICARE Academies (IA) are no longer available, but offered participants an understanding of research animal welfare and IACUC oversight issues through in-person active learning and scientific teaching. Attendees worked in both large interactive sessions and small facilitated breakout groups. In all of the sessions, attendees engaged in learning activities such as interactive presentations, group work, and discussions. Participation was open to those involved in animal care and use programs, including IACUC members and staff, Institutional Officials, veterinarians, animal facilities personnel, administrators, consultants, and compliance and regulatory personnel. Descriptions of past offerings and archived training modules that are free for you to use may be found below.
The views expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of HHS; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.
IA Intro (Introduction to IACUC Function)
IA Intro was a comprehensive 2-day workshop that introduced participants to the regulations and guidelines of the U.S. federal agencies that oversee animal welfare at research institutions. This course was designed for those IACUC and animal program personnel who are new to the program, newly promoted, or those who seek a review of federal standards.
IA Refining (Refining IACUC Function)
IA Refining was a fast-paced 3-day workshop that provided participants with an understanding of animal welfare oversight concepts, enabled them to correct misunderstandings of federal standards, and learn methods for more efficient and effective animal program and IACUC functioning. This course was designed for those IACUC and animal program personnel who are familiar with federal animal welfare oversight standards.
Train the Trainer Institutes
Train the Trainer Institutes (TTI) taught institutional training personnel to use active learning in their training programs. Participants engaged in active learning applied to IACUC subject matter content and modules that addressed the scientific basis of active learning pedagogy.
Advanced Train the Trainer Institutes
Advanced Train the Trainer Institutes (ATTI) offered advanced training in the use of active learning, backward design, and scientific teaching applied to IACUC training. The ATTI was offered to individuals that have completed basic training at TTI.
Training modules developed by the participants of the Train the Trainer Institutes are tools that you can use to implement active learning training for IACUCs at your institution.