NIH recently published a request for information (RFI) titled “Enhancing Rigor, Transparency, and Translatability to Improve Biomedical Research Involving Animal Models” (NOT-OD-20-130). Members of scientific research, advocacy, and professional societies, as well as the general public, may submit comments on topics such as:

• Improving the rigor, transparency, and overall quality of animal research
• Increasing the relevance and translatability of animal research to human biology and disease
• Considering the influence of research culture and other factors on the choice of animals used in biomedical research
• Training investigators in rigorous research design, statistical considerations, and transparent research practices

ORWH encourages responses to this RFI in light of the NIH policy on Consideration of Sex as a Biological Variable (SABV) in NIH-Funded Research (NOT-OD-15-102). This policy articulates the expectation that SABV will be factored into research designs, data collection, analyses, and reporting in vertebrate animal and human studies. This policy was developed in large part to improve the rigor, relevance, and translatability of animal research to human health and disease. 

More information on this RFI is available here, and a more detailed description of the SABV policy is available on this ORWH webpage. All comments responding to the RFI must be submitted electronically to the submission website by July 31, 2020.