Animal Research

Northern Illinois University is committed to conducting quality animal research in an ethical and responsible manner to further science and improve the health of society. Veterinary and compliance oversight is administered through the Office of Research Compliance, Integrity and Safety, while animal care and animal resources are provided by the Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Psychology in order to meet the animal research needs of the research community.

InfoEd Online Submission

Online submission is now available. Be sure to complete your application by selecting "click here" [not the more obvious username and password fields] using the new InfoEd submission portal. Please note that InfoEd relies on pop-ups, so you may need to turn off your pop-up blocker (especially when using Chrome). You will use your NIU username and password if you're not already logged in through single sign-on. Non-NIU affiliates will need to contact erahelp@niu.edu in order to establish a profile.

There is also an informative support document "Creating an IACUC submission" that provides steps and screenshots to guide the process.

Submission Process

• Researchers and faculty advisors (PDF)
• Reviewers (PDF)

Additional Resources: Brief How-to Videos

The links below will take you to brief videos explaining processes related to using InfoEd. Please be aware that these videos were made for the human subjects module. The process is virtually the same even though some wording may differ.

Please note: If you are not affiliated with NIU, you will need to contact pwallace@niu.edu for access to the videos.

New submissions:

• Introduction to InfoEd
• Creating an Initial Submission
• Completing the e-form application
• Altering materials in an existing submission

After the initial submission:

• Responding to a request for changes from the board
• Creating additional submissions
• Finding existing protocol records

Additional topics:

• Finding attachments in a record
• Accessing the correct CITI training course

Protocol Submission Deadlines

For information about the meetings, please contact us at researchcompliance@niu.edu.

NIU Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

The NIU IACUC, through the experience and expertise of its members, is charged with the responsibility to oversee the entire Animal Care and Use program at NIU. The IACUC is composed of NIU faculty, staff, a community representative who has no other affiliation with NIU and an attending veterinarian. The IACUC is responsible for reviewing all research, teaching and training activities that involve the use of live, vertebrate animals and sets forth institutional policies governing such activities.

Committee Functions

• Review and approve, require modifications in (to secure approval), or withhold approval of proposed activities related to the care and use of animals.
• Inspect, at least once every six months, all of the institution's animal facilities, including all satellite facilities, using the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Guide) as the basis for evaluation.
• Review, at least once every six months, the institution's program for humane care and use of animals, using the Guide as the basis for evaluation.
• Evaluate the qualifications of research personnel and provide appropriate training and education as deemed necessary.
• Make written recommendations to the Institutional Official regarding any aspect of the institution's animal program, facilities, or personnel training.
• Suspend activities involving animals if the IACUC determines that the activity is not being conducted in accordance with the institution's policy and applicable provisions of the USDA Animal Welfare Act Regulations, the PHS Policy and the Guide.
• Review and investigate reports of potential non-compliance with regulations governing the care and use of laboratory animals and take corrective actions as necessary.