How is the IACUC's membership determined?

The membership of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is determined by institutional policy. This is rooted in the fact that each institution has its own unique mission, research goals, and operational structure, which all influence how the IACUC is organized. Institutions are required to establish their own policies regarding the composition of the IACUC, ensuring that it meets the specific needs of their animal care and use programs while also complying with federal regulations.

While federal regulations set minimum requirements for IACUC membership—such as including a veterinarian, a scientist, a non-scientist, and a community member—it is ultimately up to the institution to determine the final membership structure based on its policy. This configuration allows institutions the flexibility to align the committee's expertise with their research and educational missions, fostering effective oversight of animal care and use.

In contrast to this, the chair acts as a facilitator and leader of the committee but does not single-handedly determine the membership. Similarly, while federal regulations provide essential guidelines, they do not dictate specific member appointments. Lastly, while consensus among existing members can play a role in discussions about new members or committee composition, it is not the formal mechanism through which IACUC membership is established. Hence,