Applying for animal ethics approval
Do I need to apply?
You need approval from the animal care committee (ACC) if you will be:
- using animals or animal tissue for research or teaching
- going into the field to observe or collect
You must apply for and receive ethical approval before you begin your study. You will also need to maintain approval during your study/data collection.
How to apply
The UVic Research Administration Information System (RAIS) is a one-stop integrated online system for managing information, processes and workflows tailored for the UVic research community.
Ready to submit a new animal use protocol (AUP) on RAIS?
When starting an application, reference RAIS login & support for additional guidance and FAQs.
Research and teaching AUPs
Please use RAIS to submit:
- Animal-based research or teaching/training projects conducted in a lab environment (i.e., in Animal Care facilities and/or researcher lab facilities)
- Animal-based research or teaching/training projects that will combine lab and field components
- Animal-based research or teaching/training projects that will be fully based in field work (field researchers FAQ)
Yes. Researchers should follow the same process of having their research ethically reviewed by the university’s ACC, regardless if it’s conducted in Canada.
The ACC is aware that conditions may vary from location to location and will work with the researcher to optimize best practices for performing research with animals outside of Canada.
Researchers should be aware that licensing requirements might vary from location to location. It is the researchers’ responsibility to ensure that all licensing, safety and other legal requirements are met before conducting their research.
The policy associated with collaborative research projects with other institutions involving animals is in sections 24.00‐26.00: Policy RH8110 ‐ Research and Teaching Involving Animals
This includes institutions both within and outside of Canada.
Resources for PDF applications:
Specifically for AUPs that have not migrated to RAIS:
Expedited minor amendments
The Veterinary Director, Animal Care Services, can approve a minor amendment to an AUP at their discretion, on behalf of the Animal Care Committee. Amendments will be reported to the ACC chair and given final approval at the next ACC meeting.
Example changes
- source of animal
- location of animal accommodation or experimental area
- addition of personnel
- minor changes in procedures (e.g., tail vein injection to saphenous vein injection, change in anaesthetic drug or route of admonition, substitution of one non-invasive procedure for another, equally non-invasive procedure)
- Minor change in animal numbers e.g., 10%
For RAIS lab and field research AUPs, RAIS is now equipped to support expedited amendments.
For teaching AUPs and research AUPs currently in PDF form, please continue to submit this form to the animal ethics liaison: Expedited minor amendment form
ACC deadlines & meeting dates
|
Deadlines for applications |
Meeting dates |
|---|---|
| Friday, August 28, 2026 | Friday, September 18, 2026 |
| Friday, September 18, 2026 | Friday, October 9, 2026 |
| Friday, October 23, 2026 | Friday, November 13, 2026 |
| Friday, November 20, 2026 | Friday, December 11, 2026 |
| Thursday*, December 24, 2026 | Friday, January 15, 2027 |
| Friday, January 22, 2027 | Friday, February 12, 2027 |
| Friday, February 19, 2027 | Friday, March 12, 2027 |
| Friday, March 19, 2027 | Friday, April 9, 2027 |
| Friday, April 23, 2027 | Friday, May 14, 2027 |
| Friday, May 21, 2027 | Friday, June 11, 2027 |
*To accommodate holiday closures
2026 Summer Interim Reviews:
The ACC does not hold regular monthly meetings during July and August. Nonetheless, summer remains a busy time for research and the ACC. As such, we use an established process for managing urgent or time-sensitive amendments and new applications.
| Submission Period | Decision by |
|---|---|
| May 23 – June 26 | July 24 |
| June 27 - July 31 | August 28 |
| August 1 – 28 | Regular Process (decision after September ACC meeting) |
Additional information: ACC Summer Interim Review process memo.
Need help?
Visit RAIS login & support for additional guides and FAQs.
Email the animal ethics liaison for additional assistance.