Vertebrate Animal Use Proposal

A completed Mount Holyoke College Vertebrate Animal Use Proposal (revised 9/24) must be filled out by the principal investigator when vertebrate animal use or work with cephalopods is planned for teaching or research. Each proposed project requires a separate proposal form. Completed proposals should be submitted electronically to Cheryl McGraw, IACUC Chair.

Allow a minimum of 2 weeks for the initial review of the proposal. If revisions or requests for additional information results from the initial review, please allow another week for re-review following receipt of the revisions and/or feedback.

An email communication on the outcome of the review will be sent to the principal investigator. If approved, an IACUC protocol number will be assigned and sent to the principal investigator. All protocols expire after 3 years and require a submission of a new protocol to continue any research and/or teaching currently in progress.

Should approval be denied, the faculty investigator/sponsor may ask for reconsideration by the IACUC, and in so doing provide appropriate response to IACUC concerns. Failing this, the IACUC decision stands.

Any change to current protocols requires submission of an amended protocol. Minor changes can be approved administratively. Significant changes require the amended protocol be brought before the full committee. Examples of significant changes include:

• from non-survival to survival surgery;
• resulting in greater pain, distress, or degree of invasiveness;
• in housing and or use of animals in a location that is not part of the animal program overseen by the IACUC;
• in species;
• in study objectives;
• in Principal Investigator (PI); and
• that impact personnel safety.

For further information, or if you need to make changes to a current protocol please contact Cheryl McGraw.