Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Guidelines

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Do I need INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE AND USE COMMITTEE (IACUC) approval for my research project?

1. Complete CITI Training, including the Human Subjects Research module!
2. Discuss IRB approval with your faculty mentor!
3. If you are planning to conduct research that involves animals, you must complete the IACUC training course of CITI and seek IACUC approval prior to experimentation and data collection.

• Animal research requiring IACUC approval:

➢ Conducting experiments with live vertebrates
➢ Conducting field studies with animals that involve capturing, tagging, blood sampling, invasive procedures or manipulations
➢ Collaborative studies with scientists at other institutions if they fit one or both of the previously listed categories.

• Consult with your faculty mentor about the need for IACUC approval!
• If you are playing a role in your mentor’s research project for which an active IACUC approval already exists, you and your mentor must submit a modification form that lists you as additional participant. A student cannot be named as Principal Investigator (PI) on an IACUC form.
• If you and/or your mentor are not sure whether your research project requires IACUC approval, contact iacucFREEMississippi%20for clarification.

 

How do I apply for IACUC approval?

1. Go to the Southern Miss IACUC page for more information and to access to IACUC forms.
2. Applicants must first complete the IACUC form and applicable appendices and submit electronically as email attachments to IACUCFREEMississippi. Second, applicants must submit hard copies of the signed cover sheet and assurance statements to IACUC, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5116, Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001. 

How long does it usually take the IACUC to review and approve my application?

Usually, the IACUC will need approximately 2-6 weeks to review your application once it has been submitted by the School Director (workflow: researcher ➔ school director ➔ IACUC); if changes are needed and/or additional information is requested, the review process will take longer.

It is imperative that you initiate the application process as soon as you have developed your research protocol and have obtained approval from your mentor.

You should ensure that you provide the IACUC with all requested information and address all concerns. It pays to prepare a thorough application!