The NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) announced this month that effective October 1, 2015, OLAW will extend its oversight of animal research and teaching activities funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).   This means institutions receiving NSF funds for research and teaching involving vertebrate animals will require IACUC review and approval for all animal care and use aspects. It also means that institutions must report situations involving NSF‐supported animal activities to OLAW as required by the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.

Procedures to review and approve of all animal research by the IACUC at UMBC, regardless of funding, has always been in place.  UMBC will now follow the reporting process for noncompliance or serious deviations from approved protocols for investigators funded by NSF as well as NIH.

For more information go to, http://research.umbc.edu/federalmaryland-regulations-and-guidelines/ or contact compliance@umbc.edu.