Policy on Principal Investigator Eligibility
IACUC Policy on Principal Investigator (PI) Eligibility
It is the policy of the Oregon State University’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) that individuals serving as Principal Investigator (PI) on an Animal Care and Use Protocol (ACUP) have sufficient experience and qualifications for the purpose of accepting primary responsibility for the appropriate care and use of live vertebrate animals. This policy is guided by US Government Principle for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training VII, which indicates that, “Investigators and other personnel shall be appropriately qualified and experienced for conducting procedures on living animals.” As such, IACUC review of PI eligibility will include an evaluation of the individual listed as PI, including, but not limited to the following criteria:
- Specific training and experience
- Ability to be responsible for animal welfare and authority for animal care and use-related decisions
- Budgetary Authority
- Permanence in employment at OSU
The PI for an ACUP must have a professorial ranking, as defined by the Office of Academic Affairs (http://oregonstate.edu/admin/hr/acadappt.pdf). Faculty Research Assistants or Research Associates generally are not eligible to be PI, unless their experience and qualifications make them uniquely qualified to oversee the performance of a specific project or instructional course involving the use of live vertebrate animals. Such exceptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the IACUC. Graduate students and post-doctoral trainees are not eligible.
Non-OSU personnel may submit ACUPs, with eligibility being limited by:
- Contractual agreements between OSU and the non-OSU entity, in which the PI appointment can be related to the Office of Academic Affairs definitions of professorial rank
- In accordance with the criteria listed herein and other IACUC requirements
- In other circumstances on a case-by-case basis.
Upon review, the IACUC may require an individual who meets the aforementioned criteria (i.e. an appropriate OSU faculty member) be listed as PI or Co-PI to oversee the proposed work. IACUC staff acceptance of an ACUP for initial review does not imply that the submitting party identified as PI is eligible.
IACUC Approved February 2012