On May 6, 2025, the new United States Government Policy for Dual Use Research of Concern and Pathogens with Enhanced Pandemic Potential (USG DURC-PEPP Policy) will go into effect.
The policy, which was first introduced in May 2024, requires life sciences research to be assessed at the point of grant proposal submission to ensure that any work meeting specific criteria has appropriate risk assessment and mitigation plans reviewed and approved by the federal sponsor PRIOR TO the PI receiving funding.
A summary of these changes, including who is impacted and how to determine whether your research may be impacted, is available via this news announcement on the ACU Program website.**
**Please Note: This policy applies to all PIs proposing to work with or generate any replication-competent infectious agent, OR work with a toxin of any amount from the Federal Select Agents and Toxins List; it is NOT limited to only PIs who conduct research involving animals.
Where to Learn More
Detailed information about this policy, including guidance for PIs and U-M’s implementation steps, can be found on the U-M Institutional Biosafety Committee’s (IBC) DURC-PEPP Policy webpage. A list of frequently asked questions is also available via the IBC DURC-PEPP Fast Facts Handout (available via PDF download using valid U-M login credentials). 
Questions should be directed to Jacqueline Shields, Associate Director for Research Safety Compliance and the Institutional Contact for Dual Use Research, at [email protected] or (734) 936-3934.
Links marked with a lock icon can only be accessed using valid U-M login credentials.