October 29, 2019

As announced previously, beginning in January all IACUC investigators will need to submit their ongoing IACUC protocols into the new ̽̽Click-IACUC system. 

With the Click system, investigators have the option of creating and submitting each of their individual protocols, combining protocols as applicable, or both circumstances may apply.  Below is an example of a combination of multiple protocols into one protocol and the reduction in subsequent submissions.

                  

Exceptions to combining protocols are 1) Some sponsors do not allow combining grants into one protocol, such as the Department of Defense; 2) Projects involving USDA covered species need to be in a separate protocol.  Investigators need to keep in mind that combining protocols still requires that you appropriately track expenses to the correct grant. 

Preparations for Go-Live

  • The VP for Research has retained Dr. Ruth, post-retirement, to assist the RPO staff with supporting our researchers in transitioning their current protocols into the new system. 
  • We have established a Transition Support team which includes Dr. Ruth, Abbey Dattilio and Aubrie Clas. The team will meet weekly to determine which investigators need assistance first based upon expiration dates of their protocols.
  • Individual meetings will be scheduled with investigators or their designees 4-6 weeks in advance of the first protocol expiration date. The goal of these meetings is to assist the investigator in assessing the appropriateness of combining protocols, entering the information into the system and submitting to the office. 

Investigators that have protocols expiring in early January 2020 will have their meetings in December as soon as possible to avoid delays in research.

*Investigators must make time for this meeting as the timing is directly related to the expiration date and we wish to avoid any delays in research.*

IACUC Review

The transition of investigator protocols into the new system is just that, a transition of currently approved protocols.  Therefore, there will be no scientific merit review, no statistical review, and no vet review necessary.  This allows the IACUC to review each protocol by Designated Member Review with a reduced 24-hour designated review period, as allowed by OLAW.  This will help to ensure that we are able to transition every protocol in a timely fashion without delays in research. 

Please do not make any changes to the current protocols during this transition process.

Educational Sessions

In addition to our individual investigator meetings, educational sessions are planned to begin in January. Information about these sessions will be forthcoming.  Attending one of these educational sessions is strongly recommended as the types of information that will be requested in the new electronic form will be reviewed. We hope investigators make use of this additional support as it will not only benefit you, the investigator, but also our IACUC staff and members.

Managing Submissions that Come Up During the Transition – InfoEd or Click

To the extent possible, we no longer want investigators to be submitting anything new in the InfoEd system.  As of January 1, the access for all investigators will be switched to “read” only.

Just-in-Time
Investigator must submit any new JIT protocols in ̽̽Click after January 1. Investigators may choose to submit just the new grant associated protocol or combine with existing protocols at that time. The new protocol will require Full Committee review if D or E pain level.  Please reach out to one of the Transition Support team members for a consultation on best approach. 

Amendments
If an investigator has an amendment, it must be submitted in ̽̽Click after January 1.  Investigators may choose to submit just the associated protocol or combine with existing protocols at that time.  Depending upon the type of amendment this may require Full or Designated Member Review.  Please reach out to one of the Transition Support team members for a consultation on best approach. 

Key Personnel Changes
For key personnel changes the investigator may email the completed key personnel request form to IACUC@uvm.edu.  The change will be managed and approved by RPO staff.