Application and Approval Process

When you have decided to use animals in your teaching or research at VIU, please reach out to the Animal Care Coordinator (acc@viu.ca) as soon as possible to discuss your intended activities and the timeline for submissions. The Animal Care Coordinator will ensure you have access to relevant VIU ACC approved standard operating procedures, CCAC guidelines and ACC policies. The Animal Care Coordinator is also available to help write and edit submissions and will connect you to Animal Care Services as needed.

All applications for a Request to Use Animals, Animal Use Protocols (AUPs), and related events are submitted through the ROMEO research application portal and all required forms for the request to use animals application are available in the attachments section of the application. 

Application Submission Deadlines for Teaching Activities

Please note that the dates provided in these tables are the LATEST dates that submissions will be accepted for each review meeting. Early submissions are welcomed - don't wait until the last date to submit!

Application Submission Deadlines for Research Activities

*For summer 2026 research projects this is the recommended submission deadline for Request to Use Animals requiring an AUP.

Renewals to approved Animal Use Protocols

For renewals it is recommended to submit the renewal 1 month before expiry to allow time for revisions if required. If the renewal of an AUP falls at the beginning of the Fall Semester, please submit the renewal before May 1, 2026 to ensure review at the final ACC meeting of the academic year. If this is not possible, please reach out the Animal Care Coordinator to discuss options.

If the AUP is not continuing, a final report event must be submitted.