Which organization assigns the assurance number to institutions under the PHS Policy?

• A. A grant office.
• B. AAALAC International.
• C. OLAW.
• D. AVMA.

Answer: (C)

When institutions seek to conduct PHS-funded animal research, they must submit an Assurance detailing how their animal care and use program meets the Policy. The Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) administers this Policy and is the agency that reviews the Assurance and assigns the institutional Assurance number. This number identifies the institution’s compliance status with the PHS requirements and is used in all PHS-funded activities. A grant office handles funding logistics but doesn’t issue Assurances; AAALAC International provides voluntary accreditation of an animal-care program, not the official PHS Assurance; AVMA is a professional organization and does not assign Assurance numbers.