OLAW News

Look here for announcements regarding educational events, policy updates, new online resources, and more. To receive OLAW News directly in your inbox, sign up below.



In this issue of the OLAW newsletter, we would like to honor OLAW’s Director Dr. Pat Brown, who is retiring at the end of September.

Dr. Brown received her Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from the Pennsylvania State University and her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She then joined the Air Force, where while on active duty, she earned a Master of Science degree in Laboratory Animal Medicine from the M.S. Hershey Medical Center, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, and became a diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM).

She joined the Public Health Service (PHS) in 1986 and served in a variety of positions before leading OLAW, including Animal Program Director for the National Cancer Institute and Deputy Director for the NIH Office of Animal Care and Use. She became Acting Director of OLAW in July 2006 and Director in January 2007. After completing 31 years of active-duty service and reaching the rank of Captain in 2011, she continued her public service as OLAW Director as a Senior Scientific Officer.

She has served as the NIH representative on the House Advisory Panel to the AVMA House of Delegates, on the ACLAM Board of Directors, is a past president of the American Society of Laboratory Animal Practitioners (ASLAP), and has served on the Board of Trustees of AAALAC International representing ASLAP.

The recipient of many awards for her accomplishments, Dr. Brown received the NIH Director’s Award twice: in 2021 and 2005. She was chosen for the Scientists Center for Animal Welfare Rowsell Award in 2012, was the PHS Commissioned Corps Veterinarian of the Year in 2008 and was awarded the PHS Outstanding Service Medal in 2004. She also received an Appreciation Award for her service to ASLAP from 1997-2000.

Dr. Brown has been instrumental in many of OLAW’s seminal achievements. She led the first Vertebrate Animals Section (VAS) Committee and redefined OLAW’s role in ensuring complete VAS submissions in grant applications and contract proposals that promote good animal welfare. She was the principal NIH representative and led interagency efforts for 21st Century Cures Act initiatives to reduce administrative burden for researchers in animal care and use. She was one of the founders of the Interagency Collaborative Animal Research Education initiative and a strong advocate of active learning pedagogy. She also championed numerous other initiatives to promote animal welfare and was instrumental in developing OLAW’s new proposed guidance on cephalopods.

Most importantly, Dr. Brown’s wisdom, knowledge, kindness, compassion, and leadership by example have left a lasting impression on OLAW, the NIH, and the research community. We will work hard to carry on her legacy and will miss her greatly.

Thank you, Dr. Brown, for your many contributions to animal welfare, and we wish you happiness, health, and enjoyable new adventures!



December 4-5, 2023 | In-Person | San Antonio, TX

Join friends and colleagues for the annual SCAW Winter Conference in sunny San Antonio! Topics for this exciting event include CUSP updates, One Health, a discussion on the Guide Revision Priority Survey, regulatory updates, and so much more!

 

Register Now

 

About SCAW: The Scientist’s Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) is dedicated to balancing animal welfare and excellence in basic and applied scientific inquiry. SCAW’s workshops further that mission by providing training from experts in animal research, including investigators, laboratory animal veterinarians, and representatives from the USDA, OLAW, and AAALAC International

Information regarding this external event is being provided as a courtesy. Please direct all questions to the host organization.



October 11-12, 2023 | 1:00-4:00 pm ET | Virtual

Registration is open for the free Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) workshop! Learning objectives include:

  • An overview of the Animal Welfare Act and its regulations
  • An introduction to AWIC and other 3Rs organizations
  • A review of the 3Rs alternatives concept
  • Guidance for where to find 3Rs literature and resources
  • Instruction on database literature searching techniques (e.g. search syntax)
  • A demonstration of an alternatives literature search.

A representative of OLAW will also be present to provide regulatory updates regarding topics covered under the PHS Policy.

Register Now

 

About AWIC: The Animal Welfare Information Center is a library service established in 1986 as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Library (NAL) in Beltsville, Maryland. It provides information, products, and services related to the improved care and use of animals in research, testing, and teaching as described in the Animal Welfare Act.

Information regarding this external event is being provided as a courtesy. Please direct all questions to the host organization.



September 26-27, 2023 | In-Person | Memphis, TN

Last call to register for IACUC 101/201 Plus! These workshops run for 2 full days and explore IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. Didactic sessions address institutional responsibilities, IACUC charges, relevant informational resources, animal welfare laws, regulations and policies, and best practices. The USDA and OLAW will have representatives present to provide guidance on compliance issues and to provide agency updates. The "Plus" portion of the program includes additional Occupational Health and Safety, Wildlife, and Post Approval Monitoring modules, as well as a highly interactive faculty skit that will surely get the conversations flowing!

This highly interactive program provides multiple opportunities to engage in real-life applications of the basic concepts with the goals of learning new approaches and gaining new perspectives for managing issues that many animal care and use programs face. Students also are challenged to consider, deliberate, and develop action plans for a variety of potential IACUC scenarios.

Register Now

 

About IACUC 101: The IACUC 101 Series is an educational program designed to provide IACUC members, administrators, veterinarians, animal care staff, researchers, regulatory personnel, and compliance officers with information about the role and responsibilities of the IACUC, including an understanding of federal policies and regulations governing laboratory animal welfare. The faculty consists of nationally recognized experts and representatives from private and academic biomedical research institutions, OLAW, USDA, and AAALAC International.

Information regarding this external event is being provided as a courtesy. Please direct all questions to the host organization.



While cephalopods (including octopuses, cuttlefish, squid, and nautiluses) have been studied for over 100 years, recent initiatives to formalize standards for cephalopod care and use are helping to ensure continued humane treatment and honor the principles of the 3Rs: Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement. OLAW is seeking comment on proposed guidance to Assured institutions on cephalopod care and use. The proposed guidance is now available for public comment through a Request for Information (RFI).

 

The proposed text can be found here: NOT-OD-23-176

Comments should be submitted online: Submit Here

Comments will be accepted from September 8, 2023 - December 22, 2023

 

Visit This OLAW Webpage for More Details

 



September 14, 2023 | 1:00-2:00 pm ET

 

Join us as we explore the NC3Rs Experimental Design Assistant (EDA)! The EDA helps users build a diagram representing an experimental plan, provides customized feedback, and can make suggestions on statistical methods, randomization, blinding, sample sizes, and other critical design aspects. Dr. Esther Pearl, NC3Rs Programme Manager for Experimental Design, will discuss how the EDA can assist research staff, how it can simplify protocol review for IACUCs, and will demonstrate features of this free resource.

 

Register Now

 

About the speaker: Esther Pearl is the Programme Manager for Experimental Design at the UK’s National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (the NC3Rs). Esther works to develop tools and resources to help researchers design experiments. This includes the Experimental Design Assistant (EDA), an online tool to guide researchers through the design of animal experiments, and the ARRIVE guidelines, which encourage improved design and reporting of animal research. Esther completed a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Otago, New Zealand and worked with Xenopus as a postdoctoral researcher in the field of developmental biology at the Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Canada, the National Xenopus Resource, USA and King’s College London, UK.



In response to an increase in noncompliance events, an institution’s IACUC elects to increase laboratory oversight through improved post-approval and quality assurance monitoring. The IACUC develops a policy that gives the monitoring team the authority to address minor issues as discovered during monitoring visits and to report their findings to the IACUC periodically. Is this arrangement sound?

Read More



The deadline to respond to the OLAW/USDA Collaborative survey has been extended to September 15, 2023.

 

In response to the 21st Century Cures Act, OLAW and USDA are requesting your opinion on their efforts to reduce administrative workload, while maintaining the integrity and credibility of research findings and the protection of research animals. The survey will inform OLAW and USDA about the effectiveness of the current flexibilities and updates in reducing administrative workload, allowing investigators more time to focus on their research. It will also provide insight on any future actions to reduce administrative burden. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to provide your feedback by completing a 15–20-minute voluntary online survey!

  • A survey link from noreply@qemailserver.com was distributed to one administrative contact from each Domestic Assured institution and USDA Registered research facilities via email on June 1st. If your institution did not receive a copy of the survey, please contact olaw@od.nih.gov.
  • This survey is completely voluntary.

Please email olaw@od.nih.gov with any questions. Thank you for your consideration with this important survey.



September 26-27, 2023 | Memphis, TN | In-Person

 

Don’t forget to register for the Fall 2021 IACUC 101/201 Plus Workshops! These workshops run for 2 full days and explore IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. Didactic sessions address institutional responsibilities, IACUC charges, relevant informational resources, animal welfare laws, regulations and policies, and best practices. The USDA and OLAW will have representatives present to provide guidance on compliance issues and to provide agency updates. The "Plus" portion of the program includes additional Occupational Health and Safety, Wildlife, and Post Approval Monitoring modules, as well as a highly interactive faculty skit that will surely get the conversations flowing!

This highly interactive program provides multiple opportunities to engage in real-life applications of the basic concepts with the goals of learning new approaches and gaining new perspectives for managing issues that many animal care and use programs face. Students also are challenged to consider, deliberate, and develop action plans for a variety of potential IACUC scenarios.

 

Register Now

 

About IACUC 101: The IACUC 101 Series is an educational program designed to provide IACUC members, administrators, veterinarians, animal care staff, researchers, regulatory personnel, and compliance officers information about the role and responsibilities of the IACUC, including an understanding of federal policies and regulations governing laboratory animal welfare. The faculty consists of nationally recognized experts and representatives from private and academic biomedical research institutions, OLAW, USDA, and AAALAC International.

Information regarding this external event is being provided as a courtesy. Please direct all questions to the host organization.



Are you signed up for NIH Office of Research Facilities news?

 

The latest edition of the NIH Office of Research Facilities (ORF) News to Use is available! Be sure you sign up for the ORF newsletter to get helpful information on facility design, safety, security, and more. ORF’s News to Use provides information on the guidelines for research facility design described in the Design Requirements Manual. The August edition covers Animal and Lab Lighting Control.

 

Read More

 

About the Office of Research Facilities: The NIH Office of Research Facilities (ORF) oversees NIH facilities and provides standards for the design and operation of NIH-funded facilities. Though separate from OLAW, the NIH ORF also sits within the Office of the NIH Director. You can learn more about the Office of Research Facilities here.



December 4-5, 2023 | In-Person | San Antonio, TX

Join friends and colleagues for the annual SCAW Winter Conference in sunny San Antonio! Topics for this exciting event include CUSP updates, One Health, a discussion on the Guide Revision Priority Survey, regulatory updates, and so much more!

 

Register Now

 

About SCAW: The Scientist’s Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) is dedicated to balancing animal welfare and excellence in basic and applied scientific inquiry. SCAW’s workshops further that mission by providing training from experts in animal research, including investigators, laboratory animal veterinarians, and representatives from the USDA, NIH OLAW, and AAALAC International.

Information regarding this external event is being provided as a courtesy. Please direct all questions to the host organization.



Fall dates for IAA webinars have been announced! To read more about each webinar and register, visit the IAA homepage and click on each event under “Upcoming Events.”

  • September 6, 2023: Transgenic Animals, Regulatory Expectations
  • September 20, 2023: Using Active Learning to Train the IACUC
  • September 28, 2023: Cephalopods- IACUC Oversight or Not?

 

Visit the Website and Register

 

Information regarding this external event is being provided as a courtesy. Please direct all questions to the host organization.



October 11-12, 2023 | 1:00-4:00 pm ET | Virtual

Registration is open for the free Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) workshop! Learning objectives include:

  • An overview of the Animal Welfare Act and its regulations;
  • An introduction to AWIC and other 3Rs organizations;
  • A review of the 3Rs alternatives concept;
  • Guidance for where to find 3Rs literature and resources;
  • Instruction on database literature searching techniques (e.g. search syntax); and
  • A demonstration of an alternatives literature search.

A representative of OLAW will also be present to provide regulatory updates regarding topics covered under the PHS Policy.

 

Register Now

 

About AWIC: The Animal Welfare Information Center is a library service established in 1986 as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) National Agricultural Library (NAL) in Beltsville, Maryland. It provides information, products and services related to the improved care and use of animals in research, testing, and teaching as described in the Animal Welfare Act.

Information regarding this external event is being provided as a courtesy. Please direct all questions to the host organization.



September 26-27, 2023 | In-Person | Memphis, TN

IACUC 101/201 PLUS program is 2 full days of didactic and interactive educational opportunities for both new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and others who contribute to their institution's animal care and use program. The "Plus" portion of this 2-day program includes additional Occupational Health and Safety, Wildlife and Post Approval Monitoring modules, as well as updates from USDA and OLAW and a provocative and highly interactive faculty skit that will surely get the conversations flowing. Didactic sessions address institutional responsibilities, IACUC charges, relevant informational resources, animal welfare laws, regulations and policies, and best practices. Students also are challenged to consider, deliberate, and develop action plans for a variety of potential IACUC scenarios.

This highly interactive, advanced program provides multiple opportunities to engage in real life applications of the basic concepts with the goals of learning new approaches and gaining new perspectives for managing issues that many animal care and use programs face..

 

Register Now

 

About IACUC 101: The IACUC 101 Series is an educational program designed to provide IACUC members, administrators, veterinarians, animal care staff, researchers, regulatory personnel, and compliance officers information about the role and responsibilities of the IACUC, including an understanding of federal policies and regulations governing laboratory animal welfare. The faculty consists of nationally recognized experts and representatives from private and academic biomedical research institutions, OLAW, USDA, and AAALAC International.

Information regarding this external event is being provided as a courtesy. Please direct all questions to the host organization.



The alternate IACUC member for the Scientist role is assigned as the sole designated reviewer for a protocol that has been sent to Designated Member Review (DMR). Upon reviewing the protocol, the alternate member decides to call the protocol to full committee review (FCR) instead due to serious concerns about the proposed activities. Can the alternate member serve as a designated reviewer, and can they call a protocol to full committee review? 

 

Read More



August 21, 2023 | 9:00 am – 5:00 pm |Virtual  

This free workshop offered by the NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) will focus the use and development of Novel Alternative Methods (NAMs) to (1) advance progress into understanding specific biological processes or states and (2) augment the tools and capabilities for biomedical research to complement and/or potentially replace traditional models. The output from this workshop, along with the information received from the current OSP Request for Information, will be used to inform the development of the Advisory Committee to the NIH Director Working Group’s recommendations on high-priority areas for future investment in NAMs.  

View the OSP Request for Information

Comments accepted until August 16

Workshop Registration

 

About the Office of Science Policy: The NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) works to ensure NIH policy evolves in tandem with rapidly advancing science and technology and develops, analyzes, and implements forward-thinking policies to promote the responsible conduct of research. Though separate from OLAW, the NIH OSP also sits within the Office of the NIH Director. You can subscribe to OSP News here and follow OSP on Twitter



Doing an alternatives search for an upcoming project? Check out the USDA’s new search interface on the National Agricultural Library (NAL) website, which allows users to search PubAg, AGRICOLA, and Digital Collections at the same time. In contrast to other database searches, using this interface will bring up materials specifically curated by the AWIC experts on animal health and welfare topics. 

 

Learn More



Attention IACUC administrators, coordinators, and animal care and use administrative staff:  

In response to the 21st Century Cures Act, OLAW and USDA are requesting your opinion on their efforts to reduce administrative workload, while maintaining the integrity and credibility of research findings and the protection of research animals. The survey will inform OLAW and USDA about the effectiveness of the current flexibilities and updates in reducing administrative workload, allowing investigators more time to focus on their research. It will also provide insight on any future actions to reduce administrative burden. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to provide your feedback by completing a 15–20-minute voluntary online survey! 

  • A survey link from noreply@qemailserver.com was distributed to one administrative contact from each Domestic Assured institution and USDA Registered research facilities via email on June 1st. If your institution did not receive a copy of the survey, please contact olaw@od.nih.gov. 
  • This survey will close on August 31st, 2023.  
  • This survey is completely voluntary. 

Please email olaw@od.nih.gov with any questions. Thank you for your consideration with this important survey.   



This informative webinar was given on June 15, 2023 and provided an overview of the ARRIVE Essential 10, how each relates to study quality, and how to operationalize them for inclusion in research protocols and grant proposals. The “Essential 10” are statistically-based items essential for ensuring study rigor and reproducibility. However, reporting is not enough – study quality and reliability can be achieved only if these items are built into the study before data are collected.  

The webinar recording, slides, transcript, and additional questions are now available on the OLAW website. 

View Now



September 24, 2023 | 1:00-2:00 pm ET 

Join us as we explore the NC3Rs Experimental Design Assistant (EDA)! The EDA helps users build a diagram representing an experimental plan, provides customized feedback, and can make suggestions on statistical methods, randomization, blinding, sample sizes, and other critical design aspects. Dr. Esther Pearl, NC3Rs Programme Manager for Experimental Design, will discuss how the EDA can assist research staff, how it can simplify protocol review for IACUCs, and will demonstrate features of this free resource. 

Register Now

 

About the speaker: Esther Pearl is the Programme Manager for Experimental Design at the UK’s National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (the NC3Rs). Esther works to develop tools and resources to help researchers design experiments. This includes the Experimental Design Assistant (EDA), an online tool to guide researchers through the design of animal experiments, and the ARRIVE guidelines, which encourage improved design and reporting of animal research. Esther completed a PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Otago, New Zealand and worked with Xenopus as a postdoctoral researcher in the field of developmental biology at the Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Canada, the National Xenopus Resource, USA and King’s College London, UK. 



September 11, 2023 | In-Person | Emory University, Atlanta GA 

Register for this interactive in-person workshop featuring a keynote address on the ethics of using animals in research, regulatory and AAALAC International updates, and scenario discussions presented by research professionals. This workshop will be held at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. 

You can find the program with speakers and the registration link here: 

Register Now

 

About SCAW: The Scientist’s Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) is dedicated to balancing animal welfare and excellence in basic and applied scientific inquiry. SCAW’s workshops further that mission by providing training from experts in animal research, including investigators, laboratory animal veterinarians, and representatives from the USDA, NIH OLAW, and AAALAC International.  

Information regarding this external event is being provided as a courtesy. 



August 21-22, 2023 | In-Person | State College, PA

Don’t forget to register for the IAA September Best Practice Meeting! The session will be focused on wild fisheries research and will feature discussions on IACUC oversight of wild species, pain and distress in fish, field equipment, and more. Space is limited, so register today! 

 

To read more about the event and register, visit the IAA homepage and click on the event under “Upcoming Events” at the bottom of the homepage. Please direct all questions to the IACUC Administrators Association. 

Register Now

 

Information regarding this external event is being provided as a courtesy.



OLAW is seeking feedback from the public on a proposed revision to its current guidance disclaimer. OLAW's review of the disclaimer was one of the action items identified by the research community and described in the 21st Century Cures Act final report, Reducing Administrative Burden for Researchers: Animal Care and Use in Research. The proposed revision is now available for public comment through a Request for Information (RFI). The final text will be published once comments have been considered.   

Visit this OLAW website for more details

Comments should be submitted online: Submit Here

Comments will be accepted from July 11, 2023, to October 22, 2023.



As part of the 21st Century Cures Act, OLAW committed to reviewing and revising the guidance for streamlining protocol reviews and significant changes to reduce administrative burden. The proposed revisions are now available for public comment through a Request for Information (RFI). The final guidance will be published along with a new webpage once comments have been considered.

Visit this OLAW website for more details

Comments should be submitted online: Submit Here

Comments will be accepted from July 11, 2023, to October 11, 2023.



In response to the 21st Century Cures Act, OLAW and USDA are requesting feedback on their efforts to reduce administrative burden, while maintaining the integrity and credibility of research findings and the protection of research animals. A survey link was distributed to contacts from Domestic Assured institutions and USDA Registered research facilities via email on June 1st, 2023 from noreply@qemailserver.com. The survey will take approximately 15-25 minutes to complete. Please note: 

  • The survey should be completed by individuals (e.g., IACUC administrators, coordinators, etc.) involved directly in the oversight of their institution’s animal care and use program and/or IACUC policies and operations
  • The survey  opened on June 1, 2023, and will close on August 31, 2023

Please email olaw@od.nih.gov with any questions



July 12, 2023, 1:30-3:30 PM ET | Virtual 

 

Please join our panelist, Anneke Keizer, for a discussion on practical approaches to compassion fatigue.  This will be an interactive session and attendees will have the opportunity to add to the conversation by sharing their questions, perspectives, and ideas. Participants are encouraged to submit their questions or hypothetical scenarios on these topics in advance by emailing OLAW

 

Register now for this free event!

 

About the speaker: Anneke Keizer, BS, MBA, LATg, CCFP has worked in the laboratory animal field for 35 years and is co-owner and founder of CopePlus, a small company specializing in setting up compassion fatigue support programs for professionals working with laboratory animals. Prior to starting her own counseling bureau, Anneke was Associate Director of Laboratory Animal Resources at Princeton University and earlier in her career was Associate Director of Laboratory Animal Resources at Merck & Co. Inc. Anneke Keizer holds a Bachelor of Laboratory Animal Science degree and a Master of Business Administration (Labor Relations) degree. She is RLATg certified, a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional, and an ILAM graduate. 



An IACUC drafts a new policy in response to incidents of noncompliance, but questions arise about when to implement the policy. How does the timing of the policy’s effective date impact the institution’s reporting to OLAW? 

 

Read More



Are you using all of the great resources available on the OLAW website? You might be surprised! In addition to the regulatory references, Guide Notices, and FAQs that you have probably heard about, don’t forget to check out the detailed 21st Century Cures Act pages. Each page provides in-depth information on a topic and links to the relevant regulations, guidance, FAQs, articles, webinars, sample documents, and more— all in one place! New topics and Requests for Information (RFIs) continue to be added as OLAW reviews and revises guidance and policies in response to the 21st Century Cures Act. 

21st Century Cures Act Topics

 

Additional topic information can be found in the Topic Index and in the Fast Facts pages. 

 

Topic Index

Fast Facts



Do you ever have questions about whether or not something could be considered an incident of noncompliance that is reportable to OLAW? You can always call a member of OLAW’s Division of Compliance Oversight for consultation!

View Contact Information



In addition to the items OLAW committed to clarifying in the report Reducing Administrative Burden for Researchers: Animal Care and Use in Research as part of the 21st Century Cures Act response, OLAW provided Flexibilities for Conducting Semiannual Program Review. The final guidance has now been published in NOT-OD-23-129. Also, be sure to visit the updated Semiannual Program Review webpage on the OLAW website for additional resources, such as an updated Semiannual Program Review and Inspection Checklist!

View the Final Guidance

 

Visit the Updated Webpage



June 15, 2023 | 1:00-2:00 PM ET 

 

Join us for an informative webinar by Dr. Penny Reynolds, a coauthor of the ARRIVE guidelines 2.0, that will provide an overview of the ARRIVE Essential 10, how each relates to study quality, and how to operationalize them for inclusion in research protocols and grant proposals. The “Essential 10” are statistically-based items essential for ensuring study rigor and reproducibility. However, reporting is not enough – study quality and reliability can be achieved only if these items are built into the study before data are collected. 

What are the ARRIVE Guidelines?

On 10 February 2023, the NIH released Guide Notice NOT-OD-23-057 encouraging inclusion of the ARRIVE Essential 10 in NIH-sponsored research. ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) 2.0 is the updated and revised version of guidelines first published in 2010 to improve reporting of animal-based research.

 

Register Now



July 12, 2023 | 1:30-3:30 PM ET | Virtual

Join us for an informative webinar on compassion fatigue in the research setting and practical solutions for institutions. Anneke Keizer, BS, MBA, LATg, CCFP has worked in the laboratory animal field for 35 years and is co-owner and founder of CopePlus, a small company specializing in setting up compassion fatigue support programs for professionals working with laboratory animals. Prior to starting her own counseling bureau, Anneke was Associate Director of Laboratory Animal Resources at Princeton University and earlier in her career was Associate Director of Laboratory Animal Resources at Merck & Co. Inc. Anneke Keizer holds a Bachelor of Laboratory Animal Science degree and a Master of Business Administration (Labor Relations) degree. She is RLATg certified, a Certified Compassion Fatigue Professional, and an ILAM graduate.

Registration will open in mid-late June on the ICARE Project page of the OLAW website.



In response to the 21st Century Cures Act, OLAW and USDA are requesting feedback on their efforts to reduce administrative burden, while maintaining the integrity and credibility of research findings and the protection of research animals. A survey link was distributed to contacts from Domestic Assured institutions and USDA Registered research facilities via email on June 1st, 2023 from noreply@qemailserver.com. The survey will take approximately 15-25 minutes to complete. Please note: 

  • The survey should be completed by individuals (e.g., IACUC administrators, coordinators, etc.) involved directly in the oversight of their institution’s animal care and use program and/or IACUC policies and operations
  • The survey  opened on June 1, 2023, and will close on August 31, 2023

Please email olaw@od.nih.gov with any questions



June 14-15, 2023 | Virtual

The IACUC 101 Plus Workshop will be held virtually over 2 half-days on June 14 and 15.  
 
This workshop explores IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of research animals. The USDA and OLAW will have representatives present to provide guidance on compliance issues and to provide agency updates.  

The deadline for registration is June 11, 2023. 

 

About IACUC 101: The IACUC 101 Series is an educational program designed to provide IACUC members, administrators, veterinarians, animal care staff, researchers, regulatory personnel, and compliance officers information about the role and responsibilities of the IACUC, including an understanding of federal policies and regulations governing laboratory animal welfare. The faculty consists of nationally recognized experts and representatives from private and academic biomedical research institutions, OLAW, USDA, and AAALAC International.

 

Register Now



An institution maintains a robust animal care and use training program, including strict consequences for training lapses. However, the training courses are offered monthly by two individuals. When a highly virulent virus results in unavailability of the trainers, a PI asks how the institution plans to handle the inevitable training lapses that will occur due to missed courses. 

Read More



June 14-15, 2023 | Virtual

The IACUC 101 Plus Workshop will be held virtually over 2 half-days on June 14 and 15.  
 
This workshop explores IACUC fundamentals appropriate for new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of the laws, regulations, and policies that govern the humane care and use of research animals. The USDA and OLAW will have representatives present to provide guidance on compliance issues and to provide agency updates.  

The deadline for registration is June 11, 2023. 

 

About IACUC 101: The IACUC 101 Series is an educational program designed to provide IACUC members, administrators, veterinarians, animal care staff, researchers, regulatory personnel, and compliance officers information about the role and responsibilities of the IACUC, including an understanding of federal policies and regulations governing laboratory animal welfare. The faculty consists of nationally recognized experts and representatives from private and academic biomedical research institutions, OLAW, USDA, and AAALAC International.

 

Register Now



June 8, 2023 | In-Person | The City University of New York (CUNY), The Graduate School and University Center 

Don’t forget to register for the June SCAW Workshop! Hear research professionals present information on the ethics and value of animal research, regulatory updates, laboratory animal welfare, and join interactive discussions centered around animal care and use scenarios.

Registration closes on June 1, 2023.

 

About SCAW: The Scientist’s Center for Animal Welfare (SCAW) is dedicated to balancing animal welfare and excellence in basic and applied scientific inquiry. SCAW’s workshops further that mission by providing training from experts in animal research, including investigators, laboratory animal veterinarians, and representatives from the USDA, NIH OLAW, and AAALAC International. 

 

Register Now



This virtual symposium will focus on reduction, refinement, and replacement methods to improve laboratory animal welfare while maintaining or improving scientific results. It is jointly organized by the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the USDA’s Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) at the National Agricultural Library, and the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, National Institutes of Health. 

Sessions are designed for investigators, laboratory animal veterinarians, care staff, and IACUC members and staff. Residents, students, and postdocs are also welcome!  

 

Register Now



In response to the 21st Century Cures Act, OLAW and USDA are requesting feedback on their efforts to reduce administrative burden, while maintaining the integrity and credibility of research findings and the protection of research animals. A survey link will be sent out to contacts from Domestic Assured institutions and USDA Registered research facilities via email once the survey opens. The survey will take approximately 15-25 minutes to complete. Please note: 

  • The survey should be completed by individuals (e.g., IACUC administrators, coordinators, etc.) involved directly in the oversight of their institution’s animal care and use program and/or IACUC policies and operations
  • The survey will open on June 1, 2023, and close on August 31, 2023

Please email olaw@od.nih.gov with any questions



June 15, 2023 | 1:00-2:00 PM ET 

 

Join us for an informative webinar by Dr. Penny Reynolds, a coauthor of the ARRIVE guidelines 2.0, that will provide an overview of the ARRIVE Essential 10, how each relates to study quality, and how to operationalize them for inclusion in research protocols and grant proposals. The “Essential 10” are statistically-based items essential for ensuring study rigor and reproducibility. However, reporting is not enough – study quality and reliability can be achieved only if these items are built into the study before data are collected. 

What are the ARRIVE Guidelines?

On 10 February 2023, the NIH released Guide Notice NOT-OD-23-057 encouraging inclusion of the ARRIVE Essential 10 in NIH-sponsored research. ARRIVE (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) 2.0 is the updated and revised version of guidelines first published in 2010 to improve reporting of animal-based research.

 

Register Now



As part of the 21st Century Cures Act, OLAW committed to clarifying animal activities that are exempt from the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (PHS Policy) requirements for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) review. The proposed revisions are now available for public comment through a Request for Information (RFI). The final guidance will be published along with a new webpage once comments have been considered.  

 

The proposed changes can be found here: NOT-OD-23-119

 Comments should be submitted online: Submit Here 

Comments will be accepted from April 25, 2023 - July 31, 2023 

 

Visit This OLAW Website for Details



May 17-18 | Virtual

Don't forget to register for this fantastic opportunity! This symposium will focus on reduction, refinement, and replacement methods to improve laboratory animal welfare while maintaining or improving scientific results. It is jointly organized by the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the USDA’s Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) at the National Agricultural Library, and the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, National Institutes of Health. 

Sessions are designed for investigators, laboratory animal veterinarians, care staff, and IACUC members and staff. Residents, students, and postdocs are also welcome!  

Highlights include: 

  • “Orphan 3Rs” keynote speaker, exploring why some refinements have become standard but others remain to be widely adopted 
  • Discussions on finding the right R for the right study, and strategies for implementing the 3Rs  
  • Panel discussion with representatives from AAALAC, FDA, OLAW, and USDA-APHIS  
  • Subject matter experts will discuss refinements for mice, non-human primates, microphysiological systems and more! 
  • Sessions dedicated to interactive discussions will provide attendees opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas 

Visit the registration page to view the full agenda! 

Register Now



Looking for clarification on DMR review? Interested in learning more about institutional training requirements? Find out more on these and other topics in the following new and updated FAQs:  

 

New FAQs:

  • D.21. What personnel changes qualify as significant changes to an animal activity, and which must be reported to the funding NIH Institute or Center (IC)? 
  • D.22. May IACUCs allow designated reviewers to review and approve animal activities, thus allowing animal research to begin, before all IACUC members have had an opportunity to call for full committee review (FCR)? 
  • D.23. May IACUC members call for FCR after the deadline for a response to allow DMR has passed? 
  • D.24 What is the date of IACUC approval of an animal activity? 

 

Updated FAQs:

  • B.7. What information should be in IACUC minutes? 
  • D.4. May the IACUC grant conditional or provisional approval? 
  • D.19. May an IACUC use designated member review (DMR) to review an animal study protocol subsequent to full committee review (FCR) when modifications are needed to secure approval? 
  • G.1. What kind of training is necessary to comply with PHS Policy, and how frequently should it be provided? 

 

All new and updated FAQs will be labeled as such for the next 60 days. To submit feedback, please email OLAW. We welcome and will consider any comments received for future FAQ updates. 

 

Visit the Updated FAQ Webpage



Did you miss it? View the recording and materials for this informative webinar on approaches for the IACUC to effectively evaluate study design, animal numbers, and statistical descriptions in animal protocols.

 

Learning objectives for this webinar included:

  • Explain the principles of sound study design (e.g., control groups, experimental units, logistical feasibility)
  • Discuss methods to evaluate study design and statistical justifications
  • Relate these skills to transparency, reproducibility, and study quality
  • Identify IACUC resources that IACUCs may find helpful in dealing with these issues A list of resources put together by the speaker is also available on the website. 

 

View the Webinar and Materials



April 12, 2023 | 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM ET 

Don’t forget to register for the IAA April webinar! The session is open to IAA members or may be accessed for a fee. To read more about the webinar and register, visit the IAA homepage and click on the event under “Upcoming Events” at the bottom of the page.  Please direct all questions to the IACUC Administrators Association. . 

Visit Website

 

Information regarding this external event is being provided as a courtesy.



April 12, 2023 | 12:00-1:00 PM ET

The report “Animal Research Activism: Update and Recommendations to Promote Communication, Transparency, and Public Outreach About Animal Research” was recently released as part of a collaborative effort between FASEB, AMP, NABR, and FBR. Join them on Wednesday, April 12, 12:00 – 1:00 pm (ET) for a report release webinar where representatives will outline key highlights of the report. Time will be available at the end for questions. This document and the webinar are intended to provide resources to organizations wishing to develop or tailor their communication and outreach programs and policies. 

Register Now



OLAW will be implementing a new, streamlined footer to the website early this week. All site navigation links currently found in the gray bar at the bottom of each page will still be accessible via the top navigation. In addition, the dark gray bar at the top of each page containing links to grant information will be removed. Grant information will still be available via the grants.nih.gov link that will remain in the streamlined light gray header. 



When construction-related noise and vibration results in breeding problems and behavioral changes in an investigator’s mice, the investigator finds that the resulting study data is unusable and the studies must be repeated. At the beginning of the construction project, the investigator had been promised that the construction activities would not affect the study. However, because the studies must now be repeated, the investigator believes that the institution should bear the costs. Should the IACUC approve additional studies, and what can it do to address the funding concerns? Should the situation be reported to NIH Grants Management and to OLAW? 

 

Read More



Ever wonder what professional development opportunities are coming up? Don’t forget to check the Workshops and Conferences page of the OLAW Website! Currently posted events for spring 2023 include AWIC Workshops, IAA Webinars, the 3Rs Symposium, and the SCAW IACUC Training Workshop. 

 

View the Workshops and Conferences Page



This webinar was hosted by the NIH Small business Education and Entrepreneurial Development (SEED) office in February 2023 to assist small business applicants (SBIR/STTR) whose research involves the use of live vertebrate animals. It aims to help applicants understand requirements, applicable regulations, and how to avoid potential pitfalls during the application and award process.

Speakers included:

  • Stephanie Fertig, HHS Small Business Program Lead, SEED
  • Jane Na, Director, Division of Assurances, OLAW
  • Nicole Lukovsky-Akhsanov, Senior Animal Welfare Program Specialist, Division of Assurances, OLAW 

View the Webinar and Materials

 

More information about the small business programs (SBIR/STTR) can be found at the SEED website



May 17-18, 2023 | Virtual  

This symposium will focus on reduction, refinement, and replacement methods to improve laboratory animal welfare while maintaining or improving scientific results. It is jointly organized by the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, the Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, the USDA’s Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) at the National Agricultural Library, and the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, National Institutes of Health. 

Sessions are designed for investigators, laboratory animal veterinarians, care staff, and IACUC members and staff. Residents, students, and postdocs are also welcome!  

 

Highlights include: 

  • “Orphan 3R's” keynote speaker, exploring why some refinements have become standard but others remain to be widely adopted  
  • Discussions on finding the right R for the right study, and strategies for implementing the 3R's  Panel discussion with representatives from AAALAC, FDA, OLAW, and USDA-APHIS  
  • Subject matter experts will discuss refinements for mice, non-human primates, microphysiological systems and more!  
  • Sessions dedicated to interactive discussions will provide attendees opportunities to share their thoughts and ideas  

 

Visit the registration page to view the full agenda! 

 

Visit the Agenda and Register



At the time of triennial protocol review, a protocol is renewed by the institution’s IACUC, but a question arises regarding how animals obtained under the approved numbers for the old protocol carry over into the renewal. Should the numbers of requested animals present in the vivarium at the time of renewal be subtracted from the approved number for the 3-year renewal? What if the animals present in the vivarium have already been used; should they count toward the number left available for use in the triennial renewal? When should in-house animals be considered “used” and subtracted from the approved total? Different points of view can have different consequences for the study. How should the institution proceed, and what light can the USDA regulations, PHS Policy  and OLAW guidance shed on this situation? 

 

Read More



A researcher whose work involves animals is assigned to a shared lab space. Another user of the space who is visiting from a different institution and whose work is completely unrelated to the animal project develops a severe allergic reaction to the species used in the lab. What should the institution do? What processes could have been in place to prevent the incident? How should the institution proceed?

Read More



March 15, 3:00-4:30 PM ET | March 22, 3:00-4:30 PM ET | April 12, 3:00-4:30 PM ET 


The IACUC Administrators Association (IAA) has announced three upcoming webinars:

  1. March 15, 2023 3:00-4:30 PM ET: How to Conduct a Semi-Annual Program Review and a Sample IO Report Template (Operations Focus)  
  2. March 22, 2023 3:00-4:30 PM ET: Controlled Substances Used in Research, Oversight Responsibilities, and Best Practices  
  3. April 12, 2023 3:00-4:30 PM ET: Investigating Noncompliance, Interacting with the IACUC, and Subsequent Actions (Operations Focus)  

Sessions are open to IAA members or may be accessed for a fee. To read more about each webinar and register, visit the IAA homepage and click on each event under “Upcoming Events.” Please direct all questions to the IACUC Administrators Association. 

 

Visit the Website and Register

 

Information regarding this external event is being provided as a courtesy.  



On September 24, 2021, the ICARE Project presented an online panel discussion: History of US Animal Welfare Oversight. Panelists shared their longstanding commitment to humane care and use of animals in the conduct of scientific research, including the development, harmonization, and implementation of the PHS Policy and Animal Welfare Act and Regulations, the origin of IACUCs, commitment to performance standards, minimization of administrative burden, and operation of quality animal care and use programs. The webinar and transcript are now posted on the ICARE page of the OLAW website. 

 

View the Webinar and Transcript

 

About ICARE:  
The ICARE Project is an interagency initiative of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 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 U.S. 
 



On February 10, 2023, the NIH released a Guide Notice to encourage award recipients to include the ARRIVE Essential 10 (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments)- which are essential elements of study design- in all NIH-supported publications describing vertebrate animal and cephalopod research.

View the Guide Notice

 

The ARRIVE Essential 10 describes the information that the authors consider “the basic minimum to include in a manuscript, as without this information, reviewers and readers cannot confidently assess the reliability of the findings presented.” This list includes specific details about: 

  1. Study design  
  2. Sample size  
  3. Inclusion and exclusion criteria  
  4. Randomization  
  5. Blinding/Masking  
  6. Outcome measures  
  7. Statistical methods  
  8. Experimental animals  
  9. Experimental procedures  
  10. Results 

 

The ARRIVE Guidelines also have a Recommended Set of 10 additional elements for reporting that add important context to the study described. 

NIH also has additional resources available for enhancing the rigor of research involving animals. Visit this blog to find out more about these resources.  



March 9, 2023 | 1:00-2:00pm ET | Virtual

Do you want more tools to understand good experimental design when reviewing animal use protocols? This webinar will focus on approaches for the IACUC to effectively evaluate study design, animal numbers, and statistical descriptions in animal protocols. By focusing on concepts rather than mathematical equations, this webinar is for all IACUC members regardless of scientific or statistical background.

In this webinar, attendees will learn to:

  • Explain the principles of sound study design (e.g., control groups, experimental units, logistical feasibility) 
  • Discuss methods to evaluate study design and statistical justifications 
  • Relate these skills to transparency, reproducibility, and study quality 
  • Identify IACUC resources that IACUCs may be helpful in dealing with these issues 

Dr. Penny Reynolds will base this webinar on her article, "Statistics, Statistical Thinking, and the IACUC."

Read More and Register



The recording and transcript of the January 19, 2023, webinar titled “MOUs for Collaborating Institutions: New Template from the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP)” has been posted.

View the Webinar

 

View MOU Resources

 

About the webinar:

Members of FDP worked with OLAW, USDA, and the VA to craft a memorandum of understanding that aligns with the expectations of the Guide. This MOU is provided as a resource and is not required by OLAW. However, institutions may find it useful in helping to navigate collaborations when animal responsibilities are shared between institutions. In this webinar, representatives from FDP and OLAW discussed the FDP’s new resources and OLAW answered questions about using the MOU template.



Are you looking for more resources on animal welfare, IACUC functions, protocol development, and animal care and use? Visit the updated webpage for an extensive list of resources, including: 

  • A list of government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and selected international resources relating to research 
  • Species-specific information on husbandry and care 
  • Educational resources for IACUCs and research staff 
  • Alternatives databases

… and more!

Visit the New Page



Angelina Williams, DVM, MPH, DACLAM joins OLAW’s Office of the Director

OLAW is excited to welcome Dr. Angelina Williams to the Office of the Director. Dr. Williams is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Public Health Service. She earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine and her Master of Public Health (MPH) degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center. Upon completion of her veterinary degree, Angelina was a general veterinary practitioner in her hometown of Houston, Texas. She later completed a Comparative Medicine veterinary residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center and has worked as a laboratory animal veterinarian for over 12 years in academia, industry, and zoological settings. She is a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. Outside of work, she enjoys running, playing volleyball, and volunteering with her sorority. 

 

 Ge’Vonna Keyes joins OLAW’s Division of Assurances 

OLAW is also pleased to welcome Ms. Ge’Vonna Keyes to the Division of Assurances as a Program Analyst. Ge’Vonna earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University and an Associate in Studio Art from Montgomery College. She had been serving as a contract Program Analyst in the office since August 2021. 



In this scenario, the Attending Veterinarian terminates a lab member’s animal access until the IACUC can convene an emergency meeting to discuss an incident of noncompliance. However, this lab member is the only one who can perform specialized procedures required for the protocol, and the research must be halted until the IACUC can review the facts. The committee wonders- should this technically be called a “suspension?”

Read the Article



February 14-15, 2023 | 12:00pm-4:00pm ET | Virtual

Don't forget to register for the next IACUC 101 Plus virtual program! This workshop will be held over two half-days on February 14-15 and includes didactic and interactive learning opportunities for both new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care and use program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of institutional responsibilities, IACUC functions, laws and regulations, and best practices in the humane care and use of research animals. Be sure to tune in to learn more about special considerations for wildlife research and to hear regulatory and accreditation updates from OLAW, USDA, and AAALAC International.

This event is provided by IACUC 101.

Register Now



As part of the 21st Century Cures Act OLAW committed to reviewing and revising the guidance for reporting noncompliance. The proposed revisions are now available for public comment through a Request for Information (RFI). The final guidance will be published along with a new webpage once comments have been considered. OLAW expects institutions to comply with NOT-OD-05-034 until the new guidance is finalized. Visit this OLAW website for more details.

 

The proposed changes can be found here: NOT-OD-23-063

Comments should be submitted online: Submit Here

Comments will be accepted from January 23, 2023 - May 5, 2023

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. What is a Request for Information (RFI)?

The RFI is a notice of the development of new guidance and a request for stakeholder input before it is finalized.

2. When will these changes take effect?

After the comment period, OLAW carefully reviews all the comments and adjusts the proposed guidance as necessary. Institutions are expected to adhere to the current guidance until the final guidance is available.

3. Where should I go for information on the current requirements for reporting noncompliance?

Information on current guidance can be found on the OLAW website on the "Reporting Noncompliance” page.

 



Be sure to check out OLAW’s updated listserv webpage to view helpful tips on how to manage your subscription!

Visit the Updated Listserv Webpage



May 17-19, 2023 | Virtual and In-Person at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 

Save the date for this year’s 3Rs Symposium! This year will focus on practical strategies to implement alternatives and refinements in research. The Symposium will be offered both virtually and in-person; registration details will be available closer to the time of the event.  

 
This event is sponsored by: 

  • The Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health  
  • Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine 
  • Animal Welfare Information Center, National Agricultural Library, USDA 
  • Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, NIH 


In case you missed the OLAW webinar last week, you can view the new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Template from the Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) on the OLAW website and read additional clarification regarding MOUs and Inter-Institutional Agreements (IIAs). A recording of the webinar will be available on OLAW’s webinar page after accessibility processing. 
 

Click to visit the new webpage for MOU resources

 
Frequently asked questions: 

1. Is the new MOU template required? 

No. The use of the template is not required and is only provided for the convenience of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at Assured institutions. 


2. Why would my institution want to use MOUs? 

The Guide states that a “formal written understanding” (e.g., an MOU document) “should” be used when institutions collaborate on activities involving animals. “Should” indicates a strong recommendation for achieving a goal, understanding that individual circumstances might justify an alternative strategy. 

 
3. Is additional guidance available from OLAW on MOUs? 

OLAW has previously provided guidance regarding MOUs in this FAQ (scroll down to see the FAQ that opens).  



12:00pm-4:00pm ET | Virtual

Save the date for the next IACUC 101 Plus virtual program! This workshop will be held over two half-days and includes didactic and interactive learning opportunities for both new and seasoned IACUC members, IACUC affiliates, and individuals responsible for their institution's animal care and use program. The course provides a basic yet comprehensive overview of institutional responsibilities, IACUC functions, laws and regulations, and best practices in the humane care and use of research animals. Be sure to tune in to learn more about special considerations for wildlife research and to hear regulatory and accreditation updates from OLAW, USDA, and AAALAC International.

Registration will be open closer to the time of the event at the IACUC 101 website.


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