FAQ | Florida Atlantic University

What is the IACUC?

What activities require IACUC oversight?

What activities require Full Committee Review?

IACUC protocol applications and amendments to IACUC protocols using USDA Pain Category D and E procedures require full committee review and must be submitted to the IACUC office by the application deadline for consideration at the monthly IACUC meeting. The IACUC meeting dates and application deadlines are available on the Florida Atlantic IACUC website.

All other protocol applications and amendments using USDA Pain Category B and C procedures are eligible for the Designated Member Review process and may be submitted at any time.

Where can I find the IACUC forms?

Why won’t the IACUC forms open on my computer?

The latest version of the free Adobe Acrobat Reader DC must be installed on your computer in order to open the forms. The forms also work best when using Internet Explorer. If you are experiencing issues or prefer using Google Chrome or Firefox to access the forms, then please refer to the troubleshooting instructions in the forms section of the Florida Atlantic IACUC website here.

Where should I send my completed IACUC forms to?

What training is required to receive IACUC approval?

All research personnel are required to complete a combination of on-line CITI courses, didactic session on the ethical and humane use of animals in research, teaching and testing, in-person hands-on workshops (applicable to rodent animal users only), and enrollment in Florida Atlantic’s medical monitoring program for animal research. The detailed list of training requirements is available in the training section of the Florida Atlantic IACUC website.

Who should I contact about IACUC related questions?

What is an adverse event (AE)?

An adverse event (AE) is an unexpected side effect associated with a study compound, experimental procedure, or new animal model (e.g., a new genetically modified strain). These events result in:

Injury or illness
Unrelieved pain or distress
Death of an animal enrolled in a research study

Who should report AEs?

What should I do in an emergency?

What happens after I submit an AE report?

The report will be reviewed during the next IACUC meeting. The IACUC may:

Request clarification
Acknowledge and document the AE, closing the issue
Determine if further investigation is needed
Recommend or require additional actions to prevent recurrence of the AE

What events do not need to be reported as AEs?

Events that meet the following criteria do not need to be reported:

Injury or illness unrelated to the approved experimental procedures and are being treated by the AV.
Events that are described in the approved protocol and occur at or below the expected frequency stated in the protocol.

If you're unsure whether an event qualifies as an AE, please consult with the AV or IACUC office for guidance.

Frequently Asked Questions