Clemson University IACUC Policy 2.8 - Requirements for Flowcharts - Standards for AUP Review

Sep 12, 2026

Clemson University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) requires that most animal use protocols include a flowchart to support clear, sequential review. The policy defines applicability across biomedical, agricultural, and wildlife teaching or research submissions, while farm/facility/colony AUPs are exempt but encouraged. It specifies minimum flowchart submission formats, content coverage, chronological depiction, labeling expectations, time points and animal numbers, and accessibility compliance, and explains how reviewers evaluate discrepancies and revisions in the InfoEd eForm.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Section 1: Purpose

Section 2: Scope

Section 3: Policy

Section 3: Policy - Minimum standards for accepted flowcharts

Section 4: Procedure

Section 5: References

Clemson University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Policy Number: 2.8 Policy Title: Requirements for Flowcharts Section 1: Purpose The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals states a researcher should provide “a clear and concise sequential description of the procedures involving the use of animals that is easily understood by all members of the [IACUC] committee.” In an effort to facilitate the review of animal use protocols (AUPs), the Clemson University IACUC requires inclusion of a flowchart with most AUP submissions. The following policy provides the acceptable standards for flowcharts. Section 2: Scope This policy applies to all Animal Use Protocols for Biomedical, Agricultural or Wildlife Teaching or Research submitted for review by the IACUC. Farm, Facility, or Colony management AUPs do not require a flowchart, but it is a good practice. Section 3: Policy All initial AUPs submitted for review must include a flowchart uploaded as an attachment in the InfoEd eForm (Methodology Narrative section, question 6.2) . The following are minimum standards for flowcharts to be accepted by the IACUC: • The flowchart must be submitted as a single Word, PowerPoint, or pdf document. Scanned documents must be legible. • The flowchart must be a timeline, a visual representation or diagram of the proposed study, not a narrative. • The flowchart must depict all activities after acquisition until the study endpoints/disposition of the animal. Activities must be chronological. • The flowchart must clearly show the progression of the animal from step to step. • Each experimental procedure should be included. • Surgery steps should be labeled, but surgical details are not required. • Administration of any substance must be indicated at the applicable steps. • The collection of body fluids (i.e., blood, urine), tissue samples, and/or specimens must be indicated. • Experimental time points must be clearly indicated. • Animal numbers for each experimental group must be described. This includes a breakdown of the number of animals needed per group. • The flowchart should meet ADA accessibility standards. Flowcharts that do not meet these standards will be rejected by the IACUC. While not specific requirements, these tips can prevent the return of flowcharts: • Use the flowchart template in MS PowerPoint or Word. • Concise flowcharts with singular aims are encouraged. Overly complex flowcharts open the possibility for future noncompliance. • Do not use paragraphs of information to describe the flowchart steps. If you need to explain in this much detail, the flowchart is not serving its purpose. • If animal procedures are conducted by multiple parties, a good practice is to identify who is conducting each step. Section 4: Procedure The IACUC reviewer(s) compares what is presented in the flowchart with the explanations and descriptions presented in the AUP. If there is a discrepancy or the IACUC needs further clarity, the IACUC may require the Principal Investigator to revise the flowchart/AUP. The Principal Investigator must upload the revised flowchart in the InfoEd eForm. An emailed flowchart will be returned to the Principal Investigator for uploading. The IACUC will not approve an AUP without an attached flowchart. The IACUC may use its discretion as to whether the submitted flowchart is acceptable under the conditions described above. Section 5: References InfoEd Methodology Narrative Section Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Eighth Edition Approved: August 4, 2022 Reviewed: April 2026

FAQs

Which Animal Use Protocols require a flowchart for IACUC review?

Most Animal Use Protocols submitted for IACUC review must include a flowchart. Farm, facility, or colony management AUPs do not require one, though it is a good practice to include it.

What are the minimum standards a flowchart must meet to be accepted?

The flowchart must be submitted as a single legible Word, PowerPoint, or PDF; it must be a visual timeline/diagram (not a narrative); it must depict all activities from acquisition through endpoints/disposition in chronological order; and it must include labeled procedures, administration steps, collection of fluids/tissues/specimens, experimental time points, and animal numbers per group. It should also meet ADA accessibility standards.

What happens if the flowchart does not match the AUP or needs clarification?

IACUC reviewers compare the flowchart to the AUP. If there is a discrepancy or further clarity is needed, the Principal Investigator must revise the flowchart and upload the revised version in the InfoEd eForm; emailed flowcharts are returned for uploading. The IACUC will not approve an AUP without an attached flowchart.

Sep 12, 2026

Upload by Emma Wilson