Guide to project licence application Services
Project licence
A project licence must be granted by the CDC for animal experiments to take place. The licence will be granted based on the advice of DEC Leiden (Animal Ethics Committee). As the initial point of contact for you to discuss your research project, the AWB will offer advice on how to draw proposals that will be reviewed by the CCD and guide you through every step of the process. The AWB advice includes the expertise of a scientist committed to the AWB, as well as a designated veterinarian.
The Central Authority for Scientific Procedures on Animals (Centrale Commissie Dierproeven, CCD)
Assessment of research plans
To execute the experiments described on your project licence, your research plan must be approved by the AWB.
Research plan
A research plan includes a detailed description of your experiment. Each experiment involving an animal will have a separate research plan. The AWB will evaluate your research plan along with the animal facility, designated veterinarian, statistician and quality and safety officers. Reviewers and the AWB will jointly verify that your research plan fits your project licence and that the research plan follows the 3Rs (Reduction, Refinement and Replacement) for responsible science with animals.
Monitoring execution and animal welfare
AWB Leiden will follow the development and outcomes of projects, taking into account their effects on animals. AWB Animal welfare officer, Nelleke Verhave, is available to visit experiments or to discuss animal welfare issues.
Monitoring animal welfare is essential when using animals in an experimental setting. This includes keeping a diary log of all experimental steps listed in the research plan. Researchers must keep a welfare diary that is self-explanatory and available to all members of the project, as well as the animal welfare officer and the veterinarian. The welfare diary must also be available for inspection by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (Nederlandse Voedsel- en Warenautoriteit, NVWA).
Advice on 3Rs, communication and legislation
AWB Leiden keeps a large network of internal and external experts that can help answer a broad spectrum of questions concerning the use of animals or alternatives for animal experiments in research.