Step 3

The animal use protocol (AUP) is distributed to the committee members for their review.    

There are two possible review pathways, Designated Member Review (DMR) and Full Committee Review (FCR).

The Chair of the IACUC committee will distribute the protocols to the committee members for their review. The committee is given a designated time period (typically 10 days) to consider the protocol. The Chair of the committee will consider all of the comments or concerns raised by the committee members.

If further clarification is required, the Chair will contact the investigator via email. If at any time during the review period serious concerns arise, a committee member may call for full committee review (FCR) of the protocol application.

If none of the members call for FCR, the Chair will assign this to a primary and secondary reviewer (DMR) whose responsibility is to conduct a thorough review of the protocol, grant, and all committee comments. In addition, the investigator may be contacted and interviewed by at least one of the reviewers. The Designated Reviewers must agree on the course of action. They may approve the protocol, require modifications to secure approval, or refer the protocol to FCR. The Chair of the IACUC committee communicates by letter the results of the DMR to the Principle Investigator and Research Compliance.

Any time during this review period, a committee member may call for a full committee review (FCR) of the AUP.  This occurs when there are serious concerns.  

The investigator may be contacted by any of the committee members for clarification.  The protocol will be brought before the next full meeting of the IACUC for discussion and consideration.  There is no requirement for the investigator to attend the meeting, but it is encouraged.  If further clarification is needed by the committee, a pending approval memo will be created and sent to the investigator requesting revisions be made and resubmitted within 30 days of receipt of the memo.

The Chair of the committee will consider all of the comments or concerns raised by the committee members. If further clarification is required, the Chair will contact the investigator via email and request specific information.

Upon revision, the protocol may be reviewed under either the DMR or FCR rules. If a majority of the fully convened meeting of the IACUC votes against approval the protocol is disapproved. The Chair of the IACUC committee communicates by letter the results of the meeting to the Principle Investigator and Research Compliance. Research Compliance tracks documents and sends out reminders for annual review follow-ups.

The IACUC meets according to this schedule . Protocols should be submitted at least 30 days in advance for review. Please click here to see a list of the IACUC members. If you are unsure if your project involves use of animals, contact Research Compliance at researchcompliance@tamuc.edu.

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STEP 1: PREPARE TO SUBMIT YOUR PROTOCOL APPLICATION
STEP 2:  ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW
STEP 3: COMMITTEE REVIEW
STEP 4: APPROVAL OUTCOME
STEP 5: CHANGES TO A PROTOCOL
STEP 6: CLOSURE OF A PROTOCOL