Protocol turnaround time can vary depending on the clarity of the submission, and complexity of the procedures.
Refer to our Tips for Faster Approval for advice on preparing your submission.
Here are some average timelines from submission to approval:
How will I know if reviewers have questions about my protocol or when my protocol has been approved?
You should receive emails at each step of the review process, including approval.
Email notices are only sent to the following personnel: Principal Investigator, Alternate Responsible, and Correspondence To individuals.
If you have not received any communication from the IACUC office within 2 weeks of submitting a modification, or within 4 weeks of submitting a new or continuation application, please contact us at [email protected] or 476-2197.
Who can respond to the reviewers during the protocol review?
The Principal Investigator or Alternate Responsible should provide responses to reviewer questions, and make the relevant changes to the protocol in RIO.
The IACUC office will send an email with reviewer questions and instructions on how to respond.
Can I withdraw a protocol or modification once it has been submitted?
Yes, IACUC office staff can help you withdraw a protocol or modification once it has been submitted. Note that the protocol will revert back to the previously approved version, and any changes made since the last approval will be deleted from RIO.
Please email [email protected] for assistance.
Can I request expedited review for my IACUC application?
“Expedited review” is a term used in IRB (human research) applications, but unfortunately isn’t an official category of IACUC review.
If you have a grant deadline (for example, Just In Time/JIT) or other time-sensitive need for IACUC review, please contact us as early in the process as possible at [email protected].
How can I track my submitted IACUC protocol?
You can follow the stages of protocol review by logging into RIO and looking at the main page. RIO will also send automated emails when the protocol progresses to the next review stage.
Prereview: Assigned weekly to IACUC admin and LARC veterinarian reviewers. If the prereviewers have questions or clarifications before moving the protocol to final IACUC review, they will email you. Prereviewers will accept the protocol in RIO when all prereview questions are resolved.
IACUC review: Once the IACUC admin and LARC vet reviewers have accepted the protocol in prereview, the protocol proceeds to IACUC review.
Protocols are generally assigned to IACUC meeting agendas in the order they are accepted in prereview. RIO will show the IACUC review date once your protocol is added to an agenda.
Revisions requested: If the IACUC requests additional clarifications after review, their questions will appear in the Comments section at the bottom of the protocol home page.
Approval: You will receive an approval email from RIO, with the updated protocol number and approval date.
