Introduction : Federal regulations require all research proposals to federal agencies involving vertebrate animals be reviewed and approval by an institutional committee prior to the award of funds. ECU Faculty Manual, Appendix S, describes ECU policies on animal welfare in research. Please review Appendix S and follow the procedure outlined below if your proposed research involves animals.

1. Review Committee
1. ACUC--Animal Care and Use Committee
2. Contact: ACUC committee chair or coordinator listed on the contact information sheet included with this packet
3. ACUC meets once a month. Please call 744-2436 for submission deadlines.
2. Research Requiring Review and Approval
1. All research and testing involving vertebrate animal subjects.
3. Material Required for Review
1. Animal Use Protocol (AUP) or currently approved AUP is satisfactory
2. Copy of full application or proposal
4. ACUC Outcomes: Effect on Research
1. Full Proposal Approval. Letter of Approval for funding agency provided
2. Provisional Approval -- Revisions required; approval letter not provided until revisions approved.
3. Approval withheld. Approval letter not provided.
5. Compliance Guidelines
1. Appendix S, ECU Faculty Manual
2. NIH 86-23 NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
3. AAALAC International -- Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International. Approval dates listed below.
6. Information Needed for Grant/Contract Applications
        1. Approval Dates (please list in MM/DD/YY format)
                a. Date full ACUC approval received  
                b."Pending" if full ACUC approval is pending NIH Animal Welfare                Assurance  #A346901
       2. Applications requiring AAALAC approval date: Initial approval was        
           3/26/87 and continued full accreditation in 3/2/2005.
       3. Recommended language for NIH applications:

In response to NIH Application Instructions. Section 6, Vertebrate Animals, please use the following language:

Animal: The animal care program at the East Carolina University is managed by the Department of Comparative Medicine with facilities of approximately 72,000 sq. feet in the Brody Medical Science Building and adjacent Ed Warren Life Sciences Building, Ragsdale Annex, and the Biology Animal Facility. The facilities are of modern masonry construction with animal rooms, procedural areas, and cage washing areas.   Dedicated surgical suites are present in the Brody and Life Sciences Buildings, and there is a clinical diagnostic laboratory and radiology area present in the Life Sciences Building. Ventilation is 100% by fresh air systems which are electronically monitored to maintain optimal temperature and humidity. Animal caging is stainless steel or plastic, depending on animal species, and is sanitized at appropriate intervals by use of mechanical cage washing equipment. Light cycles are controlled electronically and are set to provide a cycle appropriate for the study in progress. Animal care is provided by trained technicians under the direction of a certified laboratory animal technologist. Veterinary care is provided by 3 veterinarians, trained and experienced in laboratory animal medicine. The Department of Comparative Medicine is directed by Dr. Dorcas O'Rourke, who is board certified by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine .