NIH Director Statement on Catalyzing the Development of Novel Alternative Methods

February 9, 2024

Last week, Dr. Monica Bertagnolli accepted recommendations from the Advisory Committee to the NIH Director on considering approaches that use novel alternative methods in biomedical and behavioral research. This is an exciting step in our ongoing efforts to support research that complements traditional models when scientifically feasible.

Reminder: Annual Reports to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare Due December 1, 2023

October 13, 2023

Domestic institutions with an approved Domestic Animal Welfare Assurance are reminded that Annual Reports for the reporting period October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, are due to the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) by December 1, 2023. (NOT-OD-24-008). These reports cover the October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023 reporting period.

Feedback Sought on Cephalopod Care and Use

September 20, 2023

Earlier this month, we released a Request for Information seeking public input on the humane care and use of laboratory cephalopods at Assured institutions. The proposed guidance acknowledges the evidence suggesting these animals would benefit from oversight, but also that there are not yet specific care and use standards to allow them to be regulated under the Public Health Service Policy for the Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

Animal Welfare Noncompliance: Data and Process

August 17, 2023

As part of proper stewardship of taxpayer funds, we at NIH are obligated, both legally and ethically, to ensure the welfare and reduce risks for those involved in our supported research activities. This obligation includes research animals. Their humane care and use is something we take very seriously. Today we are taking some time to touch upon our policies to protect animal welfare, discuss how we process reports of noncompliance, and provide resources to help recipients and researchers ensure their work involving animals is conducted appropriately.

Animal Welfare Webinar: Foundations for Evaluating Study Design and Statistical Approaches for the IACUC

April 28, 2023

Do you want more tools to understand good experimental design when reviewing animal use protocols? Watch this informative webinar hosted by the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare on approaches for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) to effectively evaluate study design, animal numbers, and statistical descriptions in animal protocols.

Reminder: Annual Reports to the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare Due December 1, 2022

October 7, 2022

The Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals requires Assured institutions to submit a written report to the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare at least once every 12 months. Recipient institutions with an Animal Welfare Assurance must submit their Annual Reports to the NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare by December 1, 2022.