Submit an Approval Request
Anyone wishing to work with any infectious agent (including BSL-1 agents), human body fluids or tissues, or recombinant DNA at Colorado State University must submit proposed use to the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) for review and approval prior to utilizing the materials. The Office of Research Collaboration and Compliance (ORCC) is currently in the processing of migrating all IBC protocols from the Online IBC Database to the Biological Module within SciShield, our new research management platform.
Existing PIs who currently have
IBC approvals in the
Online IBC Database
Submit IBC approval requests in the legacy IBC system
New PIs, existing PIs without current IBC approval, and PIs whose IBC data has been migrated
Submit IBC approval requests in SciShield
Register with the Online IBC Database (Legacy)
User registration requires a CSU NetID and password provided to all university students, faculty members, and staff members. The first time a new user logs in, they will be given the option to “Add My Name to RICRO Database”.
Enter the personal information and if there is an individual with authorization to submit biosafety forms on your behalf, identify them as the delegate. After adding the appropriate profile information, you will fill out the statement of experience. This should be a brief but substantive description of any previous experience and training with specific agents and/or recombinant DNA and the environment in which they were handled (i.e. BSL-1, 2, and/or 3). This is required for all database users.
Finally, the IBC requires any Principal Investigator and requests all other users to complete the online IBC training through the database. This training requires renewal every three years.
- IBC Training and Tutorials outlines biosafety training requirements for IBC approval
- Instructions on how to use the Online IBC Database
IBC Forms in the Online IBC Database
An Agent Approval Request Form (AARF) is required for each infectious agent you have (or plan to have) in your possession; this applies to plant, animal, and human infectious agents. This form requests information about the properties of the agent, as well as specific containment and disposal procedures for the agent. This information is required in order for the IBC to make informed decisions and suggestions on mitigating real or potential risks in using that agent. AARFs for BSL1 agents can be reviewed by the Biosafety Officer or IBC Chair; all other AARFs need to be reviewed by the IBC at a convened meeting.
The Project Approval Request Form (PARF) is the form required for each submitted proposal that involves potential biosafety issues. It is indeed required for proposals that involve use of infectious agents (for which the AARF has been submitted previously or concurrently). It is also required for projects that utilize human body fluids or tissues, and for projects that involve use of recombinant DNA that is NOT exempt from review. In many cases once the agent has been approved, your PARF can be reviewed by the Biosafety Officer or IBC Chair; since the full committee meets only every other month, this provides a faster turnaround on project review for approval. However, if your project involves recombinant DNA that is NOT exempt, it must be reviewed by the full IBC at a convened meeting.
IBC Policy on When to Submit an IBC Approval Request Form (PARF Guidance)
Register with SciShield (New)
All new users must be given access to SciShield before they can be added to a lab/group. The PI, compliance liaison, or even the individual themselves can request access. Use the following link to request access for someone, you may either use their name (must be in this format: Last, First) or their NetID: SciShield Access Request Form.
Once access has been requested, please allow 1 business day for the request to be processed.
In SciShield, IBC forms are submitted via the Biologicals Module, or “Bio Mod,” which can be accessed by clicking on “Biologicals” in the left-hand menu. If you do not see a Biologicals tab on your SciShield page, please contact the CSU IBC and request that the Bio Mod be turned on.
IBC Forms in SciShield have slightly different designations:
- Pathogen Registration Form/Viral Vector Registration Form (formally Agent Approval Request Form or AARF)
- Project (formally Project Approval Request Form or PARF)
- Biological Summary (SciShield Only) is a comprehensive list of all biologicals for a particular lab or group
For more information regarding SciShield, including “How-To” Guides and Videos, please visit our SciShield Information page.