On October 1, the federal Animal Care and Use Review Office (ACURO), which provides regulatory oversight for Department of Defense (DoD) studies involving animals, announced that DoD-funded activities can no longer be included on the same animal use protocol as research supported by other funding sources (e.g., the NIH, NSF, other federal or private grants, internal/pilot funds).
These changes* apply ONLY to NEW and DE NOVO (e.g., triennial review/renewal) protocols submitted to U-M’s Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC) and, subsequently, the ACURO on or after January 1, 2026.
Guidance for PIs
- PIs with Existing IACUC Approved Protocols – PIs that have an existing IACUC approved protocol that includes DoD funding do NOT need to take any action at this time. When the protocol is due for its next de novo/triennial review, all work funded by the DoD must be submitted as a separate standalone protocol to be reviewed and approved by the IACUC.
- PIs Planning to Submit a New Protocol with DoD Funding – PIs planning to submit a new animal use protocol that includes DoD funding on or after January 1, 2026, will be required to create and submit a protocol separate from protocols funded by all other sources.
*Please note: this change does not apply to international protocols or DoD intramural protocols.
Questions?
Questions or concerns about how this change may impact your existing animal use protocols and/or the creation of new protocols should be directed to the Quality Assurance Team in the Animal Care & Use Office at [email protected].