Help Us Strengthen Rigor of Animal Research: Public Feedback Requested

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Mike Lauer

Ever figured out a clever solution to a vexing challenge that affected the rigor of your work with laboratory animals, and then thought that those solutions could improve the quality and transparency of animal research supported across NIH? Recently found yourself at virtual lab meetings brainstorming ways to facilitate translating the findings from your animal study to human biology and disease? Questioned the status quo on how the research culture drives the choice of animal models and the design of experiments? Well, we want to know more. Continue reading →

Animal Oversight Changes for Institutions Receiving National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Funding

Posted on April 30, 2020 by NIH Staff

On April 16, 2020, NIH and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced a new agreement to ensure consistent and effective oversight of the welfare of animals used in NASA-funded activities. The agreement provides a framework to enhance communication and … Continue reading →

Special OLAW Webinar on March 19: Pandemic Contingency Planning and Its Impact on Animal Care

Posted on March 17, 2020 by NIH Staff

Are you testing or implementing your institution’s pandemic response plan for the first time? Do you have questions about flexibilities provided by the PHS Policy that may be helpful during a pandemic? All PHS-assured institutions are required to develop disaster plans … Continue reading →

Involved in Lab Animal Care and Use Programs? Upcoming ICARE Academy Workshops Are for You!

Posted on February 3, 2020 by NIH Staff

Looking to better understand research animal welfare, federal regulations related to the care and use of animals in research, and IACUC oversight issues? Then the Interagency Collaborative Animal Research Education (ICARE) Academy is for you. The 2-day Introduction to IACUC … Continue reading →

Final Report on Reducing Administrative Burdens Associated with Research Involving Laboratory Animals

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Mike Lauer

We are pleased to announce that last month the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published their final report on Reducing Administrative Burden for Researchers: Animal Care and Use in Research (NOT-OD-19-136). This report, called for in the 21st Century Cures Act, is the culmination of more than two years of diligent work to address inconsistent and overlapping policies governing oversight of research involving animals, while ensuring research findings remain credible and research institutions safeguard animal welfare. Continue reading →

Comments Welcomed on the Draft Report Recommending How to Reduce Administrative Burden in Research with Laboratory Animals: A Next Step in Implementing the 21st Century Cures Act

Posted on December 7, 2018 by Mike Lauer

The 21st Century Cures Act requires federal agencies to “review applicable regulations and policies for the care and use of laboratory animals and make revisions, as appropriate, to reduce administrative burden on investigators while maintaining the integrity and credibility of research finding and protection of research animals.” This past March we requested feedback from the public on ways to reduce regulatory burden while also maintaining the highest standards for protecting animal welfare and scientific integrity. You responded with constructive and helpful feedback with more than19,000 comments. Generally, many responses supported the actions initially proposed in the request, but they were balanced with concerns from animal advocacy and other groups. Continue reading →

Make Your Voice Heard! We want Your Ideas to Reduce Administrative Burden in Research with Laboratory Animals

Posted on March 15, 2018 by Mike Lauer

NIH has, for many years, been concerned about the increasing burden of applying for, reporting on, and the costs faced by researchers when complying with requirements on federally-funded research grants— so much so that it is even called out in our strategic plan as an area to address. Today, as we continue to implement the 21st Century Cures Act, NIH is requesting public feedback on some proposed approaches to reduce administrative burden on investigators use of laboratory animals in biomedical research (NOT-OD-18-152 and Federal Register Notice 2018-05173). Together with our colleagues at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), we are looking for constructive and thoughtful feedback on this topic from individuals, research institutions, professional societies, animal advocacy organizations, and other interested parties. Input will be accepted electronically during a 90-day comment period, that is until June 12, 2018. Continue reading →

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