Georgia Tech's Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) reviews all research and teaching activities that involve vertebrate animal subjects. IACUC approval is required in advance for all activities conducted by faculty, staff, or students, regardless of location and funding source.
The Georgia Tech IACUC meets monthly to review protocols that require full committee review. Most protocols are assessed in a streamlined process that includes IACUC staff review and an attending veterinarian consultation. Submit protocol applications via the TOPAZ system to the IACUC staff at the Office of Research Integrity Assurance (ORIA).
Georgia Tech is committed to ensuring that vertebrate animals involved in research and teaching receive humane care and treatment. Animal facilities are registered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as required by the Federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA). This Act provides guidelines for the care and use of laboratory animals, their proper disposition, and recordkeeping. USDA veterinary inspectors make periodic, unannounced inspections of all facilities. Additionally, per AWA 2.31 (c) (3), the Georgia Tech IACUC inspects and monitors the total animal care and use program at least once every six months to ensure that all components comply with regulations and guidelines.
ORIA maintains the Institute's Animal Welfare Assurance (number D16-00474 [A-3822-01]). The assurance document is available upon request from the IACUC staff. The IACUC team is available for guidance and assistance in obtaining appropriate review of protocol applications, including possible deferral of review to an off-campus collaborating institution.