Protocol Submission Guidelines

    • The Animal Use Protocol form can be obtained here (version 17a) or from the IACUC office.
    • The Principal investigator (PI) should email the completed form to the IACUC office as a Microsoft word document. The IACUC will not accept other formats.
    • Deadlines for submission are indicated on the submission deadlines page found here.  Protocols submitted after the deadline will be reviewed at the next monthly meeting.
    • The protocol will be reviewed and comments returned to the PI prior to the IACUC meeting. The PI will be asked to address these comments, failure to address these comments may result in a vote of Not Approved without the protocol being fully discussed at the IACUC meeting. The protocol should be revised using track changes.
    • For additional detail on the submission review process, see the review process flow chart here.
Annual Review of Protocols
    • Federal law mandates that the IACUC annually review all approved protocols.
3-year (De Nova Review) Renewal of Protocols
Federal laws mandate that every 3 years a new protocol is submitted and approved.
    • If you have animals on an active protocol that does not receive approval at the 3 year submission deadline these animals and studies involving them cannot be conducted. It is therefore VERY IMPORTANT that you submit your 3-year renewal in ample time to secure approval. We recommend submitting this proposal so that it is reviewed at least 60 days prior to expiration. Please refer to submission deadlines.
    • Please be advised that the required 3-year renewal is completely re-reviewed using updated animal care and use guidelines and therefore activities which were once approved may still require modification to secure approval.
Modification to Protocols
    • A modification should be made directly to the last approved version of the protocol using track changes. Please contact the IACUC office to ensure that you are using the most updated version. If you submit a modification in a version which is not the most current it will be returned to you UNREVIEWED.
    • The modification should be submitted by the PI to the IACUC office via email.
Tips for Protocol Completion
    • Read the protocol form carefully.
    • Review the sample protocol form.
    • Do not copy and paste text from a grant.
    For literature search assistance, please contact a librarian from the Dartmouth Biomedical Libraries (email: Biomedical.Libraries.Reference@Dartmouth.edu or call: 603-650-7660).
Approved Contract Laboratories
    • For a complete list of approved contract laboratories click here.
Additional Resources
NIH frequently asked questions and tips for the IACUC protocol (PDF)
https://www.nal.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Altbrochure.pdf
https://www.nal.usda.gov/awic
ILAR: The Place of Experimental Design and Statistics in the 3Rs (link)
ILAR: Animal Husbandry and Experimental Design (link)