Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC)

The Animal Research Information and Ethics System (ARIES), a new integrated platform for animal research ethics review and animal facility management, will be launched to the SingHealth research community on 1 December 2026. From this date, all new IACUC applications, and any amendments to existing IACUC protocols, must be submitted through ARIES.

About ARIES

ARIES is a single, integrated, web-based system implemented by the SingHealth Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and the SingHealth Experimental Medicine Centre (SEMC). The system will serve the entire SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre (AMC) by facilitating animal research ethics review and enhancing the management of animal research facilities.

ARIES replaces the current IACUC and SEMC service request processes with a single integrated platform for the management of IACUC protocols and SEMC processes. The platform streamlines workflows, strengthens governance, and improves operational efficiency in support of the animal research community.

Transition Arrangements for IACUC Submissions and SEMC Processes

To minimise disruption to Principal Investigators (PIs) and their delegates (collectively referred to as "Users"), the SingHealth IACUC and SEMC will implement transitional measures to ensure business continuity during the migration to ARIES.

Key Changes and Important Dates

1. Existing IACUC Protocols

• From 17 November 2026 to 30 November 2026, requests involving changes to animal numbers, changes to animal species, or extension to protocol expiry dates will not be accepted.
• All existing IACUC-approved protocols will be migrated to ARIES as a shell protocol by 1 December. These shell protocols will only contain essential protocol information. Principal Investigator (PIs) or their delegates MUST complete the remaining details for each protocol in ARIES.
• From 1 December 2026, all amendments to existing protocols MUST be submitted via ARIES.
   

2.  Last Date for Submission of New IACUC Applications via Email

• 10 November 2026 will be the final date for submitting new IACUC applications via email for review at the November 2026 IACUC Meeting.
  
• New IACUC applications submitted by email after this date will not be processed.
• From 1st December 2026, ARIES will be available. All new IACUC Applications MUST be submitted through ARIES.
• This transition period is required to facilitate the migration of data to ARIES while minimising disruption to ensure a smooth transition to the new platform.
   

3. Submission of New IACUC Applications and Amendments via ARIES

• With effect from 1 December 2026, IACUC will only accept new applications and amendments to existing protocols submitted through ARIES.
• New applications and significant amendments submitted through ARIES from 1 December 2026 to 7 January 2027 (deadline for January new application submission) will be scheduled for review at the January 2027 IACUC Meeting. There are no IACUC meetings in December.
• Users are encouraged to submit their applications and amendments as early as possible to allow sufficient time for IACUC review at the January 2027 meeting.
   

4. SEMC Processes

• From 1 December 2026, animal orders, animal transfers, and animal facility workflows will be handled through ARIES. Detailed information will be shared when available with relevant SEMC Users.
• To support the migration to ARIES, SEMC will contact active Users in November 2026 to verify information and prepare necessary data for migration. 

Getting Started

1. Registration for ARIES account

• All Users are required to register for an ARIES account before they may access ARIES.
• The ARIES account registration link (FormSG) will be shared with Users upon completion of the ARIES User Training Workshop.
• Users are encouraged to register early to ensure uninterrupted access to ARIES from 1 December 2026. 
   

2. Expected Delays During Migration to ARIES·

• To support system migration and go-live activities, Users may experience longer-than-usual response and processing times from the IACUC Secretariat and SEMC from 10 November 2026 onwards.
• We encourage Users to plan ahead and submit requests as early as possible to avoid potential delays during the transition period.
   

Enquiries and Support
Should you have any questions or require further assistance, please contact us at:

• IACUC Applications: aries_iacuc@singhealth.com.sg 
• SEMC Processes and Services: aries_semc@singhealth.com.sg

User guides, training materials, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) will be available after the training sessions.

FORMS AND RESOURCES FOR DOWNLOAD

The following forms and resources are available for download.

IACUC FORMS

IACUC FORMS-RELATED REFERENCES

RESOURCES, GUIDELINES AND POLICIES

For more information on the SingHealth Experimental Medicine Centre (SEMC), please click here.

Reporting to IACUC

You are entitled to report, verbally or in writing, any concerns that you may have about the welfare of animals at SingHealth's Animal Facilities. Such communication will be kept confidential at your request. Requests for anonymity will be honored to the extent possible. All concerns will be reviewed by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Persons communicating animal welfare concerns will be protected from reprisal.

For reporting any concerns regarding inappropriate treatment and use of research animals, please email iacuc@singhealth.com.sg or call 6576 7015 / 6576 7030.

Alternatively, click here for the list of contact details to report concerns about the welfare of animals at SingHealth Animal Facilities.