Public Health Service (PHS) Policy for information submitted in applications to the NIH that involve live vertebrate animals

Any proposed use of live vertebrate animals for experimental research, including the use of tissues, is considered research by the Office for Laboratory Animal Welfare.

Investigators who plan use vertebrate animals in research and will apply for funding from NIH (using the PHS398 and SF424 forms)are required to complete the Vertebrate Animal Section (VAS) of the application.

Federal policy requires that the following five points are addressed in all applications:

1) Detailed description of the proposed use of the animals, including species, strains, ages, sex and number to be used
2) Justification for the use of animals, choice of species, and numbers to be used
3) Information on the veterinary care of the animals
4) Description of procedures for minimizing discomfort, distress, pain, and injury
5)Method of euthanasia and the reasons for its selection

A complete description of the animals and proposed procedures must be provided within the VAS as this will allow peer reviewers and NIH staff to evaluate the application.

As principal investigators work on the research plan, they are encouraged to use the Worksheet for the Review of the Vertebrate Animal Section to help develop their responses. This information may be used, in turn, to answer questions on the UMBC IACUC protocol application form. That way, the IACUC may be assured that what investigators are proposing for funding are consistent in description. It will also help avoid having to make substantive changes later once funding is awarded.

Additional details and information about this requirement are found at: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-10-027.html

Give HARPO a call at 5-2737 or HARPO@umbc.edu with any questions.