IACUC Application Review Process

Ask the IACUC ~ we're working a hybrid schedule
Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Click this button or email research.integrity@unh.edu

New Applications

UNH faculty and staff (including post-doctoral researchers) who plan to use vertebrate animals in research or instructional activities must submit applications for IACUC review prior to commencing the activity. NOTE: Applicants must receive written, unconditional IACUC approval before starting their work with vertebrate animals (that is, the satisfaction of any contingencies stipulated by the IACUC resulting from the review of the application).

Please note that IACUC staff have a hybrid working schedule so please contact them either via email or telephone only, and only use email to submit documents to the IACUC for review.  Thank you.

The following are important points regarding the application:

  • Only UNH faculty (including emeriti) and staff members (including post-doctoral researchers) with appropriate authority and access to facilities and resources may serve as principal investigators/instructors for applications submitted to the IACUC.
  • There are two different application forms: one for use of vertebrate animals in RESEARCH and one for use of vertebrate animals in INSTRUCTION. Project directors must ensure that the correct form is used for the intended animal use.
  • Only applications using the 2019 version of the research or instruction forms will be accepted effective at the November 2019 meeting (the IACUC will continue to accept the 10/12 version of the Surgical Procedures Form). Applications using prior versions of the form will be returned.
  • Studies submitted to the IACUC for review must comprise a completed application form, including signature.  Completed applications need to be submitted to Research Integrity Services via email (to Susan Jalbert or Julie Simpson).
  • If an IACUC application will involve work with infectious agents, recombinant or synthetic nucleic acids, or transgenic animals, the principal investigator/instructor should initiate approval with the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) prior to, or concurrent with, submission to the IACUC.

Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

At UNH, there is only one level of IACUC review, which occurs at a convened IACUC meeting. Project directors must submit applications to the IACUC for review according to the meeting schedule. The schedule applies to all projects involving vertebrate animals.

meeting schedule

Applications are reviewed by the IACUC in the order they are received in the Research Integrity Services (RIS) office (first-come, first-served). While applications received on or before the appropriate deadline are normally reviewed at the next meeting, circumstances may arise that prevent the IACUC from reviewing an application within a month of receipt.

Principal investigators/instructors are invited to present their applications at IACUC meetings. Only principal investigators/instructors or co-investigators/co-instructors listed on the application at the time of submission who are UNH faculty or staff may present in-person at IACUC meetings. Upon receipt of an application in RIS, RIS staff will ask applicants whether they plan to present their protocol at the meeting. Individuals planning to present their application will be emailed an approximate time to be present at the meeting and the location of the meeting.

Project directors should plan plenty of lead time when submitting applications to the IACUC.

flow chart depicting the IACUC application review process

Changes/Modifications to Previously Approved Applications

Changes/modifications to an IACUC-approved project must be reviewed and approved by the IACUC PRIOR to their implementation. Requested modifications to IACUC-approved research and instructional protocols are either review via the Veterinary Verification and Consultation (VVC) process or considered significant and reviewed by the IACUC at a convened meeting.  For more information, see the document linked below.

Procedures for Requesting Modifications to IACUC-Approved Protocols

To request changes/modifications to an existing project, submit a request to Research Integrity Services via email to Susan Jalbert or Julie Simpson.

View Animal Care & Use Knowledge Base

The Knowledge Base contains forms, instruction and training material, policies, guidance, tools, and other resources to support your research efforts by topic area.


Contact Information

Dean Elder, MS, DVM, Director
Animal Resources Office
Rudman Hall
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-4629
Email: dean.elder@unh.edu

Linnea Morley, DVM, DACLAM, Associate Director
Animal Resources Office
Rudman Hall
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 62-4629
Email: linnea.morley@unh.edu

Julie Simpson, Director
Research Integrity Services
Service Building Room 107
51 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-2003
Email: julie.simpson@unh.edu

Susan Jalbert, Compliance Officer
Research Integrity Services
Service Building Room 107
51 College Road
Durham, NH 03824
Phone: (603) 862-3536
Email: susan.jalbert@unh.edu