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RRRC Donate Models

Process For Submission and Acceptance of Rats



1. Donating investigators should read and agree to the terms outlined in Terms and Conditions of Strain Submission.

2. Fill out the Application Form and submit it on-line. A completed Application Form will be generated from the information you provide. It will be displayed and a copy e-mailed to you.

3. The RRRC Application Review Committee will evaluate applications and issue decisions on submitted strains. You will be notified by e-mail of the status of your strain submission within 30 days of completion of your Strain Submission Application.

4. If your strain is accepted, you will be asked to complete or provide the following:
  • MTA form
  • Breeding and Husbandry Form
  • Send genotyping protocol
  • Send phenotyping protocol if gene mutation is unknown
  • Register your strain with the Rat Genome Database (RGD)  

5. After the strain profile information is reviewed and accepted, you will be contacted by RRRC staff to discuss and coordinate the final steps involving shipping of the animals to the RRRC. At that time, you will be asked to:
  • Submit a recent Health Status Report
  • Provide RRRC Project manager with details about rats/materials available for transfer to the RRRC

6. You will work with RRRC staff to arrange shipping of animals/materials to the RRRC.  Please note that while our staff will work with you to coordinate the shipping arrangements, it is the responsibility of the donating investigator to contract an appropriate courier and cover the costs associated with shipping animals/materials to the RRRC.

05.21.2026

Weather and Shipping

The welfare of the animals is of utmost importance and as we head into the summer months, inclement weather and excessive heat will delay/prevent shipments of live animals.  Be aware that hot temperatures between June and mid-September may negatively impact the ability of couriers to safely ship animals so please plan your live animal orders accordingly.

05.21.2026

Provide Your Input on NIH's Proposed Strategic Plan by May 26, 2026.

The NIH is currently seeking input for its next strategic plan, and a major focus of this framework involves the future of animal research. Because these high-level policies directly impact the future of the RRRC and your work, it’s crucial that the scientific community participates. The NIH has provided a short feedback form that only takes a few minutes to complete. Please consider submitting your input. URL: https://grants.nih.gov/news-events/nih-extramural-nexus-news/2026/03/nih-seeks-input-on-framework-for-next-nih-wide-strategic-plan   Comments must be submitted electronically through the submission website. Responses must be received on May 26, 2026, by 11:59:59 p.m. (ET). 

07.30.2025

Animal Models and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)

NAMs are lab (e.g., organoids and iPSCs) or computer-based methods intended to expand our tools for modeling human biology and disease. While this field is rapidly evolving, the need for animal models remains, especially for situations where a complex biological system is necessary. In addition, animal models serve as vital in vivo controls for the validation and verification of emerging NAMs.