Normally, the application review process takes 4-6 weeks from submission to completion of the review.

Completed applications should be submitted to the IACUC, Office of Research Development, Starkweather Hall, 2nd Floor. An application number will be assigned. After an administrative review, the chair of the IACUC recommends two members of the IACUC to serve as reviewers. Applications are forwarded to the designated reviewers for a 2-week review period. Once all issues have been resolved to the satisfaction of a majority of the committee, approval is granted.

Following approval, an approval package will be sent to the principal investigator. The approval package will contain the approval letter, a final annotated copy of the approved application, and other pertinent information. The contents of the approval package must be provided to all personnel involved in the research project because the information in it affects the animal use activities of each member of the research team.

The IACUC-approved projects are termed "activated" and will receive a Protocol Approval Number (PAN, a modification of the Application Number). Activation of approval is required in order to purchase animals and supplies and to initiate the approved procedures. The Protocol Approval Number must be referenced on such animal-care and animal-use documents as requisitions, and it must also be displayed on individual animal cages.