April 24 and 25, 2024 | Virtual

The next IACUC 101 Plus Workshop will be held virtually over 2 six-hour days on April 24 and 25, 2024. 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. Registration is $75.00.

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 provided as a courtesy.

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May 8-9, 2024 | Virtual

Join the USDA’s Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) for a free “Meeting the Information Requirements of the Animal Welfare Act” Virtual Workshop on May 8 and 9, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. ET each day. The workshop will review:

• 3Rs alternatives (replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal use) methods and resources,
• literature searching techniques for finding 3Rs information, and
• historical and current insights into the Animal Welfare Act and its regulations.

Can’t attend the live workshop? AWIC offers a free, pre-recorded, self-paced training online as well as live, customizable presentations and trainings upon request by emailing awic@usda.gov.

Learn about upcoming workshops and trainings by signing up for AWIC’s monthly newsletter.

Register Now

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NIH is implementing multiple changes to forms and submission processes for funding opportunities with due dates on or after January 25, 2025. These administrative changes are meant to simplify, clarify, and ensure greater fairness for applicants throughout the application and peer review processes. There are no changes to OLAW’s guidance for animal care and use programs. Learn more by visiting this NIH Grants webpage.

Learn More

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Did you miss this informative webinar given on January 18th, 2024? Congruence review is required prior to award (e.g., grants, cooperative agreements, contracts) for activities that involve the use of live vertebrate animals per PHS Policy IV.D. It is the process that ensures that the information in IACUC protocols is consistent with the application to be awarded, and is an institutional responsibility. This OLAW Online Seminar covers the foundations of congruence review, including definitions, requirements, flexibilities, and answers to common compliance questions. The webinar recording, slides, transcript, and additional questions are now available on the OLAW website.

View Now

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3:00 PM –4:30 PM ET | Virtual

• April 3, 2024: What's a Risk-benefit Analysis? This webinar will discuss the process of risk-benefit review conducted by the IACUC to assess the potential risks and benefits associated with proposed animal research protocols.
• April 17, 2024: Are Your Birds Covered Under the AWARs (USDA)? Some birds’ activities are now covered under the Animal Welfare Act Regulations (AWAR), which is enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This webinar will discuss the relatively new (August 21, 2023) USDA regulations governing the use of birds.

Participants are encouraged to submit questions to Bill Greer at wggreer@umich.edu PRIOR TO the event. During each session, attendees will be encouraged to discuss their own institutions practices and ideas.

To register, go to the organization homepage by clicking the button below, scroll to the bottom, and click on “Events.”

Register Now

About the IACUC Administrators Association: The IAA is a professional organization promoting collaboration, professional development, and continuing education in animal care and use compliance across diverse sectors like academia and industry. It serves as a hub for knowledge exchange and networking. Faculty focus on understanding applicable regulations, maintaining compliant animal care and use programs, and developing effective and efficient practices for program management.

Information regarding this external event is provided as a courtesy.

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March 27, 2024 | 11:30 AM - 4:30 pm ET | Virtual

The IBC 101/Best Practice meeting is a 5-hour training opportunity for both new and seasoned Biosafety committee members, Biosafety Administrators, program compliance coordinators, and other individuals who contribute to the institution’s biosafety compliance program. Sessions are initiated using didactic presentations that are intended to provide sufficient background on several topics to ensure attendees have a general understanding of an overall Institutional Biosafety program. During each meeting session it is important for attendees to engage in the discussion should any questions arise.

• Attendance Fees: $235 for BSAA Members and $335 for nonmembers
• Attendees are encouraged to submit questions to Bill Greer at wggreer@umich.edu PRIOR TO the meeting and may be encouraged to interact by discussing their own institutions' practices.

Read More

About the Biosafety Administrators Association: The BSAA is a professional organization promoting collaboration, professional development, and continuing education in biosafety research compliance across diverse sectors like academia and industry. It serves as a hub for knowledge exchange and networking. Faculty focus on understanding applicable regulations, maintaining compliant biosafety research programs, and developing effective and efficient practices for program management.

Information regarding this external event is provided as a courtesy.

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The NIH has released two new Guide Notices that incorporate USDA updates to guidance on semiannual evaluation flexibilities for Animal Welfare Act (AWA)-regulated animals. These new Guide Notices will supersede prior versions. OLAW’s guidance on semiannual evaluation flexibilities that exclude AWA- regulated animals remains unchanged.

Guide Notice NOT-OD-24-076, Guidance on Flexibilities for Conducting Semiannual Inspections of Animal Facilities, incorporates these changes:

• For AWA-regulated facilities, the IACUC may use subcommittees composed of at least two committee members and may also invite ad hoc consultants to assist in conducting the inspections. More than one subcommittee may be utilized, such that different subcommittees may inspect different areas of a research facility. However, both members of any subcommittee must each physically inspect, at least once every six months, all of their designated areas of the research facility’s animal facilities, including animal study areas.
• Although subcommittees may perform the inspections, the subcommittee(s) must present their findings to a convened quorum of the IACUC for approval.
• The report to the IO must be reviewed and signed by a majority of the IACUC members. Digital and scanned signatures are acceptable. Alternatively, an email acknowledgement from the member(s) may serve as their acceptance with the semiannual report. USDA will also accept an email acknowledgement directly from the IACUC member in lieu of a digital or wet ink signature that states “This serves as my signature for the semiannual report (or related statement)”. These emails should be retained for the record by the IACUC.
• For areas housing AWA-regulated species, inspections must be physically performed; videos, photographs, written descriptions, or other remote methods are not appropriate.

Guide Notice NOT-OD-24-076
This Notice replaces NOT-OD-21-164 and the associated clarification NOT-OD-22-048.

 

Guide Notice NOT-OD-24-075, Guidance on Flexibilities for Conducting Semiannual Program Review, incorporates the following change:

• For reviews of programs of humane animal care and use involving AWA-regulated species, the subcommittee(s) must present their findings to a convened quorum of the IACUC for approval

Guide Notice NOT-OD-24-075
This Notice replaces NOT-OD-23-129.

 

There are no changes to OLAW’s guidance on semiannual evaluation flexibilities for non-Animal Welfare Act (AWA)-regulated animals.

Please contact Dr. Louis DiVincenti, Senior Veterinary Medical Officer for Research, USDA APHIS Animal Care, for any questions regarding flexibilities that involve AWA-regulated species.

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April 24 and 25, 2024 | Virtual

The next IACUC 101 Plus Workshop will be held virtually over 2 six-hour days on April 24 and 25, 2024. 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. Registration is $75.00.

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 provided as a courtesy.

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March 20, 2024 | 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm ET | Virtual

The Biosafety Administrators Association will be holding a webinar titled “Interactions with OSP, NIH and some Records Keeping Guidance” on March 20, 2024. A guest speaker from the NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) will present on guidance for records content and retention and will discuss the circumstances IBCs should consider when downgrading containment levels (e.g., BSL2 to BSL1). Attendance is free for BSAA Members and $75 for Nonmembers.

Please direct all questions to Bill Greer at wggreer@umich.edu

Register Now

About the Biosafety Administrators Association: The BSAA is a professional organization promoting collaboration, professional development, and continuing education in biosafety research compliance across diverse sectors like academia and industry. It serves as a hub for knowledge exchange and networking. Faculty focus on understanding applicable regulations, maintaining compliant biosafety research programs, and developing effective and efficient practices for program management.

About the NIH Office of Science Policy: The NIH Office of Science Policy (OSP) works across the biomedical research enterprise to ensure NIH policy evolves in tandem with rapidly advancing science and technology. OSP 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 learn more about the Office of Science Policy here.

Information regarding this external event is provided as a courtesy.

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March 21, 2024 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm ET | Virtual

This OLAW online seminar will discuss research involving farm animals. Topics to be discussed include farm animal use in biomedical and agricultural research, common challenges with these species, and perspectives from the USDA, OLAW, and AAALAC International. 

Speakers include:

• Debbie Cunningham, DVM - Oklahoma State University
• Louis DiVincenti, DVM, MS, DACLAM, DACAW - USDA, APHIS, Animal Care 
• Susan B. Harper, DVM, MS, DACLAM, DACVPM, RBP (ABSA) - NIH (presenting the views of AAALAC International)

 

Register Now

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April 9, 2024 | In-Person | Baltimore, MD

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 University of Maryland-Baltimore in Baltimore, MD. You can find the program with speakers and the registration link here:

Read More and Register

About SCAW: The Scientists 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.

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March 27, 2024 | 11:30 AM - 4:30 pm ET | Virtual 

The IBC 101/Best Practice meeting is a 5-hour training opportunity for both new and seasoned Biosafety committee members, Biosafety Administrators, program compliance coordinators, and other individuals who contribute to the institution’s biosafety compliance program. Sessions are initiated using didactic presentations that are intended to provide sufficient background on several topics to ensure attendees have a general understanding of an overall Institutional Biosafety programs. During each meeting session it is important for attendees to engage in the discussion should any questions arise.

• Attendance Fees: $235 for BSAA Members and $335 for nonmembers
• Attendees are encouraged to submit (to wggreer@umich.edu) questions PRIOR TO the meeting and may be encouraged to interact by discussing their own institutions practices.

Read More and Register

About the Biosafety Administrators Association: The BSAA is a professional organization promoting collaboration, professional development, and continuing education in biosafety research compliance across diverse sectors like academia and industry. It serves as a hub for knowledge exchange and networking. Faculty focus on understanding applicable regulations, maintaining compliant biosafety research programs, and developing effective and efficient practices for program management.

Information regarding this external event is provided as a courtesy.

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Upon hearing of a new procedure that may be a refinement to her current experimental practices, an investigator proposes a pilot study to evaluate its effectiveness in comparison to her traditional methods. She proposes to run this pilot study alongside her regular studies. The IACUC wonders: Should they require the PI to stop all research until the pilot study is completed, or can she continue her work while evaluating the possible new alternative?

Read More

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April 15-19, 2024 | Virtual and In-Person | Galveston, TX

For the past 15 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in collaboration with the University of Texas Medical Branch has hosted a nonclinical course titled “Achieving Data Quality and Integrity in Maximum Containment Laboratories.” This course has provided valuable information to a variety of biomedical researchers and public health staff nationally and internationally on how to achieve quality data for nonclinical studies in high containment laboratories according to FDA’s Good Laboratory Practice regulations to include Animal Rule standards. In 2023, a One Health session was added to the curriculum that includes an interactive exercise on how to use the One Health approach for nonclinical studies and the development of medical countermeasures.

The course will have a hybrid (virtual and in-person) format and will be hosted in Galveston, Texas from April 15 - 19  , 2024. In-person attendance provides the opportunity to participate in a mock BSL-4 laboratory exercise with hands-on demonstration of the differences between BSL-2 and BSL-4 environments. Attendance and registration are free of charge. However, travel and per diem is not funded. For questions, contact: orncs@utmb.edu

Read More and Register

 

Information regarding this external event is provided as a courtesy.

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March 6-7, 2024, May 8-9, 2024 | Virtual

Join the USDA’s Animal Welfare Information Center (AWIC) for a free “Meeting the Information Requirements of the Animal Welfare Act” Virtual Workshop on March 6 & 7, 2024, from 1:00 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. ET each day or on May 8 & 9, 2024 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. ET each day. Both workshops will cover the same material, so it is only necessary to attend the March or May workshop.

The workshop will review:

• 3Rs alternatives (replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal use) methods and resources,
• literature searching techniques for finding 3Rs information, and
• historical and current insights into the Animal Welfare Act and its regulations.

Can’t attend the live workshop? AWIC offers a free, pre-recorded, self-paced training online as well as live, customizable presentations and trainings upon request by emailing awic@usda.gov.

Learn about upcoming workshops and trainings by signing up for AWIC’s monthly newsletter.

Register Now

Information regarding this external event is provided as a courtesy.

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February 8-9, 2024 | Virtual

This workshop explores IACUC fundamentals and is appropriate for 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 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.  

Learn More

Information regarding this external event is provided as a courtesy. 

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During a post-approval monitoring visit, a staff member notices that an investigator has five pet rats in his office. The rats had been purchased from a pet store and were kept separate from other animals at the institution. The investigator explains that the rats are emotional support animals (ESAs) and claims that the animals are not subject to IACUC review. Is the investigator correct, and what should the institution consider when responding to the situation?

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Nicole Lukovsky-Akhsanov, DVM, MPH, DACLAM, has been appointed to the new position of Deputy Director in the Division of Assurances (DOA) at OLAW. She was previously a Senior Animal Welfare Program Specialist in the DOA, and now joins Dr. Jane Na, Director, DOA, in leading the division. Prior to joining OLAW in 2019, Dr. Lukovsky-Akhsanov completed her laboratory animal medicine residency at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and subsequently served as Assistant Director, Office of Animal Welfare, at SUNY Downstate Medical Center. She received her DVM from the Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine and MPH in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and is a Diplomate of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine. 

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January 18, 2024 | 3:00 PM –4:00 PM | Virtual 

Join us as we explore the topic of congruence review. Congruence review is required prior to award (e.g., grants, cooperative agreements, contracts) for activities that involve the use of live vertebrate animals per PHS Policy IV.D. It is the process that ensures that the information in IACUC protocols is consistent with the application to be awarded, and is an institutional responsibility. This OLAW Online Seminar will cover the foundations of congruence review, including definitions, requirements, flexibilities, and answers to common compliance questions. We will also discuss institutional perspectives on approaches to fulfil this requirement.

Speakers include: 

• Julie Sharp, DVM, CPIA, DACLAM 
  Executive Director of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Program (IACUP)
  Office of Research, University of California, San Francisco 
   
• Jennifer Klahn, MA, CPIA 
  Director, Research Safety & Animal Welfare 
  Institutional Contact for Dual Use Research 
  University of California, Los Angeles

Register Now

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