Notice Number: NOT-OD-16-125

Key Dates
Release Date: August 2, 2016

Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Purpose

This Notice informs Public Health Service (PHS) awardee institutions that the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) has implemented a new Animal Welfare Assurance (Assurance) numbering system.

Background

OLAW oversees PHS-funded animal activities by the authority of the Health Research Extension Act of 1985 and the PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (Policy). The Policy requires that “No activity involving animals may be conducted or supported by the PHS until the institution conducting the activity has provided a written Assurance acceptable to the PHS, setting forth compliance with the Policy.” Assurance agreements are approved by OLAW and assigned a unique identification number which is used by institutions in applications and proposals for research activities involving the use of vertebrate animals.

Implementation

Effective July 25, 2016, OLAW implemented a new Animal Welfare Assurance database that utilizes a new numbering format (D00-00000). However, the old numbers (A000-01) will be retained for the life of the Assurance. Institutions with an Assurance will receive a new number and may use either the new or old Assurance number in communications with NIH. For convenience, OLAW will reference both new and old Assurance numbers in Assurance-related correspondence. Institutions will be able to view the new Assurance number on the OLAW website list of Assured institutions (Domestic | Foreign) and in any Assurance-related correspondence from OLAW. Institutions seeking a new Animal Welfare Assurance will be provided an Assurance number in the new format only.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

Division of Assurances
Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW)
Telephone: 301-496-7163
Email: olawdoa@mail.nih.gov