Animal Oversight Changes for Institutions Receiving National Science Foundation (NSF) Funding

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In August, NIH and the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced an agreement to harmonize oversight of the welfare of animals used in NSF-supported research activities, and to reduce regulatory burden to grantee institutions. As of October 1, 2015, institutions receiving NSF funding will need to:

  1. include NSF-supported activities with live vertebrate animals as covered activities in their PHS Animal Welfare Assurance (Assurance), and
  2. promptly report situations involving NSF-supported animal activities to OLAW as required by PHS Policy.

If your institution receives NSF support for animal activities, and already has a PHS Assurance (a requirement of all NIH grantee institutions conducting research with animals):

  • Do not submit a new Assurance.
  • In your 2015 annual report to OLAW, indicate that you have a program change and attach an update to your Assurance Part I. Applicability section so that it reads: Applicability of Assurance – “This Assurance applies whenever this Institution conducts the following activities: all research, research training, experimentation, biological testing, and related activities involving live vertebrate animals supported by the PHS and NSF. This Assurance covers only those facilities and components listed below.”

If your institution receives NSF support for animal activities does not have PHS Assurance:

  • NSF will notify OLAW that a PHS Assurance is needed. Then OLAW will contact your institution to negotiate an Assurance.

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