Minneapolis VA Health Care System Research Service
Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)
The Minneapolis VAHCS Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is charged with ensuring that research involving animals is conducted ethically, using sound scientific methodology, in the pursuit of health care discoveries to improves the lives of Veterans. The basic principles governing research with animals in VA are found in the U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training. The specific responsibilites and requirements of the Minneapolis VAHCS IACUC are defined under VHA Directive 1200.07 "VA Research with Animals".
If you have questions or concerns about the care and use of animals at this facility, please contact VHAMINIACUC@va.gov and/or you may also reach out to the VA Office of Research Oversight via their complaint hotline at 877-343-6562. Concerns may be reported anonymously, in compliance with VA whistleblower policies and with protection from reprisals.
The Animal Component of Research Protocol (ACORP), the official VA animal protocol form, is the set of questions that must be considered by the IACUC when a project involving research with animals is submitted for approval at our facility. To submit a new ACORP, or to modify an existing ACORP, complete all necessary forms in IRBNet.
For help with IRBNet, staff with VA network access can review the information on the VA Innovation and Research Review System (VAIRRS) SharePoint at https://dvagov.sharepoint.com/sites/VAIRRS (copy and paste this link into your browser). All staff can also email our local support team at VHAMINIRBNet@va.gov.
For IACUC-specific assistance, contact the IACUC Coordinator, Kristin Gebhard or email VHAMINIACUC@va.gov.
