Responsibility for obtaining approval from the IACUC lies with the PI. The PI should submit materials for IACUC review well in advance of the proposed start date for the project. When applying for external funding, the grant application may be submitted to the agency with IACUC approval listed as "Pending"; this option does not, however, absolve the PI of his or her responsibility for obtaining IACUC approval before the research commences.

Responsibility for soliciting approval from the IACUC lies with each course instructor who must first apply for clearance through the Department Chairperson of the department in which the course will be offered. Course instructors should submit applications well in advance of the deadline for scheduling courses for the semester in which animals will be used. This will ensure that adequate space can be provided for the animals at the appropriate time. It must be stressed that the IACUC approves the use of animals in a specific course and by a specific instructor. If a second individual is designated to teach the same course, an amendment must be submitted so that IACUC members can review that individual's credentials as well as the procedures to be used.

To apply for IACUC approval, twelve copies of the completed Application to Use Vertebrate Animals should be submitted to the Research Services, Granada Center 424, Lake Shore Campus. The Application is a WORD document which can be downloaded from the IACUC website; please type directly on this form. The deadline for submitting Applications is the last Friday of every month. When submitting a completed form, investigators must also include his or her current CV and documentation of completion of the on-line training modules for all research personnel (PI, students, doctoral fellows, other staff and faculty, etc.). For instructions on training modules click here. In addition, a "Verification of Tetanus Inoculation" form must be submitted for all non-student personnel.

Please fill out the Application completely; do not answer questions by simply referring to your response on another question. The Application was designed to simplify reporting requirements and ensure full compliance with the law. Please remember to sign the Application and, if applicable, obtain signatures of the Biosafety or Radiation Safety Committee Chairperson before submitting it to Research Services. The IACUC chairperson and the attending veterinarian will add their signatures once the protocol has been reviewed and approved by the IACUC.

It is important that investigators interested in applying for external funding consult with the IACUC chair and the chairperson of their respective departments when developing a research protocol. The experimental program and procedures must be discussed to ensure that Loyola is equipped to house and care for the animals and to ensure the safety of investigators and the university community at large. Only then, should investigators proceed to submit a grant proposal to a funding agency.

After the funding agency has granted final approval of the project, investigators must submit both the Application (12 copies) and the approved grant proposal (3 copies) to the IACUC for review. Research activities may not begin until the IACUC confirms that the proposed experiments in the grant correspond with those described in the application.