IACUC Policy 310 - PI Eligibility

Effective Date: April 17, 2024 (revised version; originally adopted on June 19, 2019)

I. Policy Purpose

The principal investigator (PI) holds primary responsibility for the design and implementation of the research or teaching protocol. Given the level of accountability and responsibility involved in conducting work with live vertebrate animals and/or cephalopods, the SIUC Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) policy requires PIs to hold an appointment as listed in section (A) of this policy, but recognizes that in certain minimal risk teaching, outreach, or research activities, the role of PI may be appropriate for individuals with other University appointments as noted in sections (B) and (C).

II. Procedures

1. Only full-time members of SIUC faculty trained in a discipline that uses animals may serve as Principal Investigators on IACUC protocols. These include the following titles:
   1. Assistant Professor/Research Assistant Professor
   2. Associate Professor/Research Associate Professor
   3. Full Professor/Research Professor
2. In addition to individuals with the titles listed above, the IACUC will consider requests for individuals with the following titles to be eligible to serve as the Principal Investigator on an animal care and use protocol, primarily for teaching and demonstration protocols and minimal risk research protocols (USDA Pain Category C or less). These individuals must provide evidence of substantial relevant training and experience in all proposed animal care and use procedures included in the protocol on which they are requesting to serve as the PI. Individuals seeking to be the PI on a higher risk protocol (USDA Pain Category D or E) will require approval of the IACUC and completion of the form in Appendix A.
   1.  Associate Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Instructor/Research Instructor
   2. Post-Doctoral Fellow
   3. Researcher II or III
   4. Assistant, Associate or Senior Scientist
3. Emeritus faculty or faculty with Visiting, Adjunct, and Courtesy or other appointments, and SIUC staff with appointments not listed in A or B above, will ordinarily not be allowed to serve as a PI on an animal care and use protocol. For the IACUC to consider the eligibility of such individuals to serve as a PI on an animal care and use protocol, the form in Appendix A must be completed and sent to the IACUC office. The IACUC will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis, depending on the proposed animal activities, the rationale for the request, and the relevant experience of the person interested in serving as a PI.