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A Foreign Assurance is required for institutions outside the U.S. that conduct live, vertebrate animal work onsite for PHS, NSF, or NASA-funded or supported animal activities.
Foreign Assurance
A Foreign Assurance is required for institutions outside the U.S. that conduct live, vertebrate animal work onsite for PHS, NSF, or NASA-funded or supported animal activities. Foreign Assurances are approved for a period of up to 4 years and will be renewed only if the institution continues to conduct live, vertebrate animal work onsite for PHS, NSF, or NASA-funded or supported animal activities. The Foreign Assurance commits the institution to:
- Comply with the PHS Policy, or provide evidence that acceptable standards for the humane care and use of animals will be met
- Follow the International Guiding Principles for Biomedical Research Involving Animals
- Comply with all applicable laws, regulations and policies governing animal care and use for their country of jurisdiction
Foreign Assurances are negotiated with institutions that:
- Control their own animal facilities
- Conduct animal research on-site
- Have an animal care and use program with an authorized institutional signing official
In addition to reviewing the information linked below, contact OLAW to discuss your specific circumstances before submitting.
Format, Submission, and Reporting
Writing Your Assurance Document
Institutions that meet the criteria for a Foreign Assurance must download and use the Foreign Assurance form to describe their program of animal care and use. Specific instructions, information, and recommended references are provided in italicized text and should be deleted from the final document. Submissions should be clear and concise, should utilize the section headings, and retain the numbering and format included on the form.
Tips to Facilitate Review
Here are some helpful tips to help speed up the review process. However, this list is not intended to provide an exhaustive overview of all possible revision requests; as every institution is unique, always follow the guidance of your Assurance reviewer.
Tip 02: Ensure that the Assurance Reflects Your Unique Program
Tip 03: Completely But Succinctly Describe Your Program
Tip 04: Respond Promptly
Submitting Your Assurance Document
After your institution has received a request from OLAW to submit an Assurance, send your completed document via e-mail to [email protected]
Institutions should not submit an Assurance unless requested to do so by OLAW. OLAW will not process unsolicited applications. If your institution has received confirmation that proposed animal activities will be funded by the PHS, NSF, or NASA AND have not been contacted by OLAW, you may submit an inquiry by e-mail to [email protected]. Include the award number, name of the prime awardee institution (recipient), and contact information of the funding component (e.g., grants or contracts specialist) in the e-mail.
Assured Institutions Look Up Tool
Find out if your institution has an approved Domestic or Foreign Assurance using our Assured Institutions Look Up Tool.