IACUC Review Process

The following steps are required in order to secure approval to use vertebrate animals in research or teaching at Georgia Tech. For assistance, contact the Office of Research Compliance at 404.385.7316.

The IACUC application - The application form is ready for submission after:

• a search for alternative to live animals and any potentially painful/distressful procedures have been documented on the application
• the animal numbers requested have been statistically justified in the application
• all procedures and animal care have been described in detail
• the “Objective of the Study and Benefits to Society” has been provided in “lay” terms

Protocols undergo a preliminary review by the Office of Research Compliance and are then forwarded to the Research Veterinarian and Director of Animal Resources for veterinary consultation. The applications are then returned by the veterinarian to the Principal Investigator for revisions, if necessary.

Revised protocols should be submitted to the Office of Research Compliance via e-mail at iacuc@gatech.edu.

Protocols are distributed to the committee as they come in. If a committee member requests full committee review, the protocol is placed on the agenda for the next meeting, unless it was received without sufficient lead time.

Points to Remember