What Should a Researcher Know if Their Animal Study May Involve Another Institution?

The short answer: collaborations can offer significant benefits for scientific discovery.  However, there are a number of components to be considered and documentation that may be required prior to establishing a collaboration when research involves animal activity. You should work closely with your institution’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and grants administration to ensure that all requirements are met.

The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare recently refreshed and expanded a Frequently Asked Question centered around a recipient institution’s responsibilities when collaborating with another entity on animal research. The recipient must fulfill the animal welfare obligations of an award and include these obligations in agreements with collaborating institutions. The updated FAQ also clarifies responsibilities for IACUCs, necessary parts of a written agreement, and the purpose of Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs). Additional helpful resources are also provided.