Welcome to the Animal Care and Use Program at Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) . As one of the top 20 NIH-funded research institutions in the country, VUMC is committed to scientific excellence and integrity. We support the responsible and ethical use of animals in research when their involvement is necessary to advance scientific discovery and improve human animal health.
The Vanderbilt research enterprise is built on a foundation of collaboration and partnership. Our Animal Care and Use Program team strives to foster a cooperative research environment while ensuring regulatory compliance and providing high-quality animal care and welfare. The ACUP Administrative Office provides financial and operational support to facilitate and advance animal research. Protocol design and implementation assistance, as well as regulatory compliance guidance are available through the Office of Animal Welfare Assurance. The Division of Animal Care delivers round-the-clock operational and veterinary care for research facilities and animals. In addition to clinical care, our faculty veterinarians are trained in research methods, study design, and manuscript preparation - allowing for a deeper understanding of the research process, including its inherent challenges and necessary support. Through the Translational Pathology Shared Resource, faculty veterinary pathologists provide a range of research and comparative pathology services to assist investigators working with animal models.
Through collaboration, expert guidance, and a commitment to ethical research practices, VUMC ensure that animal studies are conducting with the highest standards of care and integrity. By supporting responsible animal research, we continue to advance scientific discovery and improve health care while prioritizing welfare and compliance.