NIH Grants and Funding
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.