Review Process
Before Principal Investigators (PIs) can create an Animal Use Protocol, they must first complete the required animal user training and request ARISE Access. Only after these steps can they begin drafting their Animal Use Protocol (AUP). Get Started in ARISE Link »
Our team of Animal Care and Use Specialists are available to assist. Please contact reoffice@ualberta.ca for more information.
PI submits protocol to the ACUC. Researchers must obtain approval from the ACUC before initiating any research involving the use of animals.
Before reaching the ACUC, protocols are reviewed by Facility Management, Health, Safety, and Environment departments, and assessed for Scientific Merit. Once these reviews are completed, the new applications will be forwarded for ACUC Review. Clarifications may be requested before it reaches ACUC.
If application is completed by ACUC meeting deadline, the protocol is assigned the monthly Agenda. ACUC members are notified of review action needed.
The protocol undergoes a thorough review to ensure compliance and adherence to the highest animal welfare standards. Decisions made during the meeting typically result in one of three outcomes: Approval, Pending Conditions (requiring revisions or additional information), or Deferral.
Once the ACUC grants approval, the PI will receive a Letter of Approval through ARISE. Following this, the Office of Research Administrative Services will release the grant funding associated with the approved protocol. Approval is granted for one year, requiring annual renewal.
Any modifications to an approved protocol—such as changes in experiments, location, animal numbers, procedures, or drug administration—require submitting an amendment to the ACUC before the changes are implemented. Amendments that involve significant experimental changes, increase in the category of invasiveness or a substantial increase in the number of animals will require a full Committee review while minor amendments are approved by the ACUC Chair or Subcommittee.
Pilot Projects
Before proceeding with a full study, PIs must often gather additional information to establish a suitable study design, appropriate endpoints and testing procedures, etc. Note, a pilot project is not exempt from the peer review process. The ACUC may also recommend pilot studies with conditions if animal welfare concerns are identified during review of studies. Progress Reports and outcomes are submitted via Post Approval Monitoring report by researcher once completed.
A study does not constitute a pilot project if it does not serve the explicit purpose of informing or refining the design of a larger-scale research effort