NIH Policies

Please note: The guidelines, policies, and resource documents featured on this page are intended for the NIH Intramural Research Program and are not to be considered guidance from the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) or any other oversight entity.

NIH Policy Manual Chapters:

• Manual 3040-2: Animal Care and Use in the Intramural Program (external link)
• Manual 3040-3: Intramural Acquisitions Involving Animal Research Activities (external link)
• Manual 3043-1: Introduction of Rodents and Rodent Products (external link)
• Manual 3044-1: Nonhuman Primate Quarantine (external link)
• Manual 3044-2: Protection of NIH Personnel Who Work With Nonhuman Primates (external link) 
• Manual 3047: Trans-NIH Animal Facility Security Program (external link)
• Manual 3015: Admittance Of Minors To Hazardous Areas (external link)
• Manual 1345: Handling and Safeguarding of Controlled Substances for Nonhuman Use (external link)
• Manual 1340: NIH Occupational Safety and Health Management Program (external link)
• Manual 1165: Agency Agreements (external link)
• Manual 6307-3: Special Clearance and Other Acquisition Procedures (external link)

DDIR Institutional Official Policy Memos:

• Scientific Merit Review for the Use of Nonhuman Primates (PDF file), 02/14/2023
• Updates to the Nonhuman Primate Users Safety Program (PDF file), 10/08/2024 REVISED
  • Nonhuman Primate and Other Research Animal Bite, Scratch, Splash, and Exposure (BSSE) Guidelines (PDF file), 10/27/2022 
• Disposition of Laboratory Animals (PDF file), 05/09/2023
• NIH Intramural Research Program Animal Study Proposal (ASP) Template (PDF file), 04/22/2014
  • NIH IRP Animal Study Proposal Template (Word document)
  • NIH IRP ASP Template Instructions for Emergency Animal Treatment and Care (Word document) REVISED
• Purchase of Custom Antibodies (PDF file), 11/07/2022 
  • Custom Antibody Vendor List (PDF file), 02/09/2021
• Reporting Concerns Regarding Animals at NIH
  • Communicating Animal Care and Use Concerns within the NIH Intramural Research Program (PDF file), 09/23/2022 
• Timely Assessment and Resolution of Animal Issues Involving Potential Pain and/or Distress (PDF file), 09/27/2023

Other NIH Policies:

• DOHS SOP: Visitors to Animal Research Facilities (PDF file), 05/23/2024
• Research Animal Transport for the NIH Clinical Center (PDF file), 02/26/2024
• Use of Embryonated Eggs (PDF file), 09/28/2022 

This page was last updated on Tuesday, January 28, 2025