On October 1, the federal Animal Care and Use Review Office (ACURO), which provides regulatory oversight for Department of Defense (DoD) studies involving animals, announced that DoD-funded activities can no longer be included on the same animal use protocol as research supported by other funding sources (e.g., the NIH, NSF, other federal or private grants, internal/pilot funds).
These changes* apply only to new and three-year renewal protocols submitted to the University of Pittsburgh IACUC and ACURO on or after January 1, 2026.
Guidance for Investigators with current or planned DoD projects:
If you have an existing IACUC-approved protocol with DoD funding, no action is needed now. At your next de novo/triennial review, all DoD-funded work must be submitted as a separate protocol for IACUC approval.
For new IACUC protocols with DoD funding submitted on or after January 1, 2026, submit them separately from protocols funded by other sources.
*This change does not affect international or DoD intramural protocols.