Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)

What is IBC?

W&M's Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is not limited to the narrow regulations on recombinant DNA technology set forth by the NIH. Most universities have mandates to oversee broader biosafety issues, particularly projects pertaining to zoonotic and infectious disease agents, but also those dealing with other biohazardous agents such as algal toxins. In fact, the scope of many IBCs is to oversee any biological agents that can potentially harm humans, the environment, or agriculture. For more detailed information, please see the IBC Guidance section.

Quick Start: Managing your IBC protocols

1. Log into the compliance management system, SPARCS.
2. Select "Products" in the top right hand side of your screen.
3. From the drop down, select "Hazard Safety"
4. Your next steps might vary on the task you need to complete. Please visit our shared Box folder for how-to guides and videos to determine your next steps.
5. Please allow for four (4) weeks for committee review of the protocol before the anticipated review/expiration date. Often, revisions are required and this will take additional time for the approval process.

William & Mary does not permit PIs to "self-exempt" their research from IBC review.

Meetings are open to anyone who would like to attend. More information can be found on the "IBC Committee" subpage.

Funding/Grant Applications

PIs who apply for funding for projects must provide protocol number, title and date of approval to their Grant Manager prior to a grant fiscal account being established for use.

PIs who do not submit annual renewals in a timely manner are subject to the fiscal account being frozen until annual review has been approved.

Table has dropdown options for resources related to IBC.

Resources Policy for Institutional Biosafety Protocol Submission Process: Protocol to Chair (pdf) Chair to Committee Members (pdf) NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant DNA Molecules Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 6th Edition (06.2020) Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) Standards for Bloodborne Pathogens Regulated Waste Management Program at William & Mary Online Compliance Training Programs completion required of all IBC members and PIs, staff, and students. OLAW -- NIH Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare--contains basic documents concerning the protection of animal subjects Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals AVMA Guidelines on Euthanasia