The purpose of this policy is to ensure all Live-Vertebrate Animal research, teaching, or testing at Brown University (University) is conducted in a manner that is compliant with applicable federal, state and institutional requirements.

This policy applies to all individuals who will be utilizing Live-Vertebrate Animals for research, teaching, and/or testing under the auspices of the University and applies to all University locations.

All Live-Vertebrate Animal research, teaching, and testing at the University must be submitted for review and approval to the University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) via an animal use protocol. The IACUC is the University’s animal ethics oversight board charged with upholding regulatory and institutional compliance and maintaining defined animal welfare standards. It meets the requirements of the Public Health Services (PHS) Policy and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services (APHIS) Animal Welfare Act (AWA). 

No individual can perform any Live-Vertebrate Animal work at or through the University unless the IACUC formally approves an animal-use protocol and relevant protocol amendments and the Principal Investigator (PI) receives the approval notice. The PI of Live-Vertebrate Animal research is responsible for ensuring all proposed Live-Vertebrate Animal use is covered under an IACUC-approved animal use protocol prior to any work being conducted. Performing Live-Vertebrate Animal work without IACUC-approval is a serious noncompliance event that must be reported to external regulating authorities.

The care and use of animals at the University is overseen by the institutionally approved Attending Veterinarian (AV) who has delegated authority for the care and use of animals in Brown’s animal research program in accordance with the PHS Policy, the Guide, and the AWA. This authority includes monitoring and promoting animal well-being at all times during animal use and during all phases of the animal's life, as well as treating an animal and providing institutionally appropriate measures to relieve severe pain or distress in the animal, including euthanasia as needed. The program of veterinary care must uphold all applicable standards of care and ethics.

This policy incorporates by reference all IACUC-approved documents, such as guidance, instructions, directions, or standard operating procedures, issued and as may be amended by the University, which are located at the IACUC Website or by contacting the IACUC directly. All individuals to whom this policy applies are responsible for knowing and following applicable documents, including, but not limited to, all guidance, instructions, directions, and standard operating procedures.

For the purpose of this policy, the terms below have the following definitions:

All individuals to whom this policy applies are responsible for becoming familiar with and following this policy. University supervisors and employees with student oversight duties are responsible for promoting the understanding of this policy and for taking appropriate steps to help ensure and enforce compliance with it.

Violation of this policy may be considered a serious event of noncompliance that is reportable to the IACUC, funding and accrediting agencies, as well as other regulatory agencies. Violation of this policy is a serious matter that may adversely affect both the ability to perform animal work and acquire funding sources.

Failure to comply with this and related policies is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension without pay, or termination of employment or association with the University, in accordance with applicable (e.g., staff, faculty, student) disciplinary procedures.

Brown University is a community in which employees are encouraged to share workplace concerns with University leadership. Additionally, Brown’s Anonymous Reporting Hotline allows anonymous and confidential reporting on matters of concern online or by phone (877-318-9184).

The following information complements and supplements this document. The information is intended to help explain this policy and is not an all-inclusive list of policies, procedures, laws and requirements.