Office Research and Graduate Studies - Research Compliance

Research Compliance

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)


The Research Compliance PDF forms here are dynamic PDFs, and don't behave quite the same as other PDFs.  Please save these files to your computer, open your PDF software application, and in the application, go to File->Open, and navigate to where the form is saved, and select it.  If you double-click on it, your computer will likely give you an error message like this one:

PDF Error


There is nothing wrong with your computer.  It just thinks this form is a webpage.  Following the instructions above will help it function properly.

If you have difficulty with these forms or need additional assistance, please call 391-593-2677 or email researchcompliance@tamuk.edu to set up an appointment so we can help.

All research, teaching, and testing utilizing living vertebrate animals requires IACUC review and approval prior to initiation, including activities that are conducted by System member personnel in the course of their employment by the System member, or use System member facilities or resources.

The use of animals is defined as any activity involving vertebrate animals in which the natural lifestyle or movements of the animals is materially altered, including:

  • Agriculture use
  • Wildlife research
  • Harvesting of animal carcasses or tissues specifically for research, teaching or testing
  • Biomedical studies that require animal models

If you are interacting with a vertebrate animal, it is best to contact Research Compliance and verify if you require an IACUC protocol.  

TAMUK Faculty can serve as PIs on IACUC protocols.  

Students at all levels, undergraduate, graduate, and Ph.D. candidate require a Supervising Faculty Mentor to oversee IACUC projects.  This faculty mentor signs off on the protocol as acceptable and certifies they will be the responsible party to the student as needed with the research design and proper execution of the protocol.

  1. See the section for IACUC Forms & Resources below, download the IACUC Protocol application, fill it in to describe the purpose of your study, the methods to be followed, and include literature and keywords searched to back up overall calculations.   
  2. Complete the required CITI training, and email your application, along with your CITI certificates, and your data collection instrument(s), to researchcompliance@tamuk.edu.
  3. Research Compliance will screen your application and if it's complete, and when the next meeting is scheduled.   If you fail to get receipt confirmation from Research Compliance within (3) three business days, call 361-593-2677 / 361-593-4764 to ask if your IACUC was received.
  4. All IACUC protocols are initially reviewed via the Full Committee Review (FCR) path at a convened meeting.  
  5. PIs are welcome to attend the meeting and will be asked to leave during the final deliberation and vote. 
  6. Research Compliance will notify the PI of the IACUC's decision
    • approve outright, or
    • approve with minor stipulated revisions via Designated Member Review (DMR), or
    • table for major revisions to be seen at the next convened meeting, or
    • withhold approval, the project cannot be approved.
  7. If there are stipulations for either DMR or for review at the next IACUC meeting, Research Compliance and the IACUC Chair will prepare the stipulations and send them to the PI so revisions can be made and brought back for the appropriate review.  Once it's determined all comments and revisions are stated to be complete by the DMR/FCR, a Notice to Proceed email will be sent to you while the final approval letter is being drafted. You may begin once you receive the Notice to Proceed.  
  8. Notify Research Compliance of any changes you make to your protocol during the life of your project. IACUC Amendments are required before changes can be enacted.

NOTE - For time-dependent studies (projects for graduating students, faculty on grants), please contact Research Compliance as soon as you send your IACUC, to allow us to assist in meeting your deadlines.

Overall, IACUC review and approval can take a few days to a few months, based on the meeting date and the speed of revisions returned.

The TAMUK IACUC holds convened meetings on the first Tuesday of each month.  Quorum is required for the IACUC to officially review and vote on protocol actions, so be aware the meeting dates may change based on holidays, campus closures, and over events to allow members to attend.  

If you have a time-sensitive IACUC Protocol due to class requirements, graduation plans, or grant submission, please call Research Compliance to verify meeting dates and times, and we will work with the IACUC Chair and Members to see how best to assist.

Instructions for CITI Training for Investigators, Staff, and Students:

Please log onto the CITI website by clicking on the link below.  

https://www.citiprogram.org/Default.asp

New CITI members:

  1. Please register as a new user.
  2. CITI will ask you for a User ID and Password.
  3. Then you will be asked to affiliate with an institution.
  4. Go to U.S. Institutions and pick “Texas A&M Kingsville” from the drop-down list.
  5. On the next page, you will be prompted to fill in your personal information.
  6. Be sure to enter your Full Legal Name as Research Compliance will see it on the IACUC protocol, so that we may recognize you when checking training (no nicknames, please).

Current CITI members / Following New CITI member registration:  

  1. Click on Add a Course or Update Learner Group.
  2. You will be launched into a menu asking you to select a Course.
  3. Pick Animal Welfare. Next, you will see a list of Species-Specific Modules, select the species listed on the IACUC protocol(s) you will be working with and then click next.
    1. Examples of Species-Specific Modules are: Mice Family Muridae Cricetidae, Rats Genus Rattus, Wildlife, Fish, Reptiles, Cats, Dogs, Horses, Cattle, Swine, Sheep & Goats, Gerbils, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits Family Leporidae, Hamsters Family Muridae, Frogs Toads or other Amphibians, and Animals in Biomedical Research.
  4. A page will appear giving you two (2) course options: Essentials for IACUC Members &, Working with the IACUC.
  5. Select the “Working with the IACUC” course.
  6. Complete The Integrity Assurance Statement before beginning the course.

 Go through the Course(s) and take all the quizzes and when you are finished, you will be able to save or print your completion report.

 As a reminder the Working with the IACUC course is mandatory for all personnel on an IACUC protocol, & Species Specific Modules must be taken for the species listed on the IACUC protocol(s).

  • If you plan to conduct studies that have the potential to cause "more than momentary pain and distress" in Mice or Rats you should complete the module on "Minimizing Pain and Distress".
  • If you conduct major survival surgery or non-survival surgeries in non-rodent species? If you do, the module on “Aseptic Surgery” is a must.

 If you need to take any other courses, just select the Add a Course or Update Your Learner Groups and it will send you back to the curriculum menu to take more courses.

Instructions for CITI Training for Committee Members:

Please log onto the CITI website by clicking on the link below.  

https://www.citiprogram.org/Default.asp

New CITI members:

  1. Please register as a new user.
  2. CITI will ask you for a User ID and Password.
  3. Then you will be asked to affiliate with an institution.
  4. Go to U.S. Institutions and pick “Texas A&M Kingsville” from the drop-down list.
  5. On the next page, you will be prompted to fill in your personal information.
  6. Be sure to enter your Full Legal Name as Research Compliance will see it on the IACUC protocol, so that we may recognize you when checking training (no nicknames, please).

 Current CITI members / Following New CITI member registration:  

  1. Click on Add a Course or Update Learner Group.
  2. You will be launched into a menu asking you to select a Course.
  3. Pick Animal Welfare. Next you will see a list of Species-Specific Modules.
  4. Select “Not at this time.”
  5. Then a page will appear giving you two-course options: “Essentials for IACUC Members” and “Working with the IACUC.”
  6. Enter the “Essentials for IACUC Members”

 Go through the Course(s) and take all the quizzes and when you are finished, you will be able to save or print your completion report.

 If you need to take any other courses, just select the Add a Course or Update Your Learner Groups and it will send you back to the curriculum menu to take more courses.

If you have something to report regarding lab safety, contact one or all of the following:

  • The number listed on the facility for emergencies or safety concerns
  • Ethics Point web reporting or phone number
  • Research Compliance at 361-593-2677 / 361-593-4764
  • IACUC 361-593-2124
  • IACUC Attending Veterinarian 361-474-0496 / 361-593-3258