Inter-Institutional Activities
Animal Research Activities Subcontracted to Other Institutions
In every case where research is proposed at OSU and at other institutions, the OSU IACUC should review a protocol that fully describes the activities that will be conducted at OSU. In addition, when OSU is subcontracting federal funds for animal research to other institutions, the OSU PI should also briefly describe all planned animal research activities to be conducted at the subcontracted site(s).
The OSU IACUC may rely on the approval of an external IACUC for the remote animal research, if the institution has an NIH/OLAW approved Animal Welfare Assurance. In most cases, the external IACUC (or equivalent animal research ethics committee) will be asked to assume full responsibility for the animal activities in its facilities including responsibility for ongoing protocol review and animal facility inspections. The ORRP staff will determine whether the external institution has an approved NIH/OLAW Animal Welfare Assurance. The OSU IACUC will request the external documents for initial and ongoing IACUC approvals relative to the protocol.
Following OSU IACUC approval, an inter-institutional agreement will be executed to document the respective responsibilities of OSU and the subcontracted institution. The IACUC staff will work with the OSU PI and institutional officials to secure this agreement.
Unaffiliated Personnel Conducting Animal Research in OSU Facilities
At times, it may be appropriate for persons who are not OSU employees or students to conduct animal research activities in University facilities. In these cases, the OSU IACUC must prospectively review and approve the proposed research. The IACUC will ensure that the non-affiliates are qualified to perform the research and have met the relevant standards of the OSU Occupational Health Program for Animal Handlers.
The IACUC will also request letters of assurance from the OSU department sponsoring the research and from the external institution. The ORRP staff will provide template documents to assist researchers with these requirements.
Unaffiliated Persons – Limited Participation in OSU Instructional Protocols
Sometimes persons who are not affiliated with the University briefly serve as guests demonstrators on instructional animal care and use protocols. In this case, the principal investigator must provide the IACUC with a list of credentials a person must have before the start of the course each time the course is offered.
The OSU faculty member directing the course will be responsible for the overall course activity. These guests will be exempted from mandatory trainings and from participation in the OSU Animal Handlers Occupational Health program. No formal inter- institutional agreement will be required.
OSU Personnel Conducting Animal Research at External Facilities
When OSU researchers engage in animal research activities at non-OSU locations, the OSU IACUC must prospectively review the entire research project. This does not include training and consulting activities conducted at other institutions or private facilities or work conducted on a protocol approved by another institution’s IACUC. A copy of the local IACUC (or research ethics review committee) approval for the remote activities and a letter from the appropriate official at the collaborating institution authorizing OSU personnel to work at that location will be requested. It is likely that the external institution will also ask the OSU researcher to verify the qualifications and occupational health surveillance clearance of the OSU employee.
When additional institutional assurances are requested, the OSU PI should contact the ORRP staff for assistance in securing the required documents.
