'I' Acronyms

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee IACUC  
The PHS Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals incorporates the U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals used in Testing, Research, and Training, and requires the grantee to maintain an animal care and use program based on the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. An Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) appointed by the Chief Executive Officer or designee, is federally mandated to oversee the institution's animal program, facilities, and procedures (Public Law 99-158, Sec. 495). IACUC review and approval is required for all PHS supported activities involving live vertebrate animals prior to funding.

Quoted from the NIH OER Glossary & Acronym List.

Internet Assisted Reviewer IAR  
An eRA Commons Account Role, the Internet Assisted Reviewer (IAR), specially selected by Scientific Review Officers (SRO) of the NIH, can critique and score submitted grant applications. Many Principal Investigators (PIs) are selected for this role and IAR authority is automatically added to their account once an SRO enables them for a meeting. All other reviewers who have never served as PIs have IAR authority solely.
Internet Assisted Review IAR  
The Internet Assisted Review (IAR) moduleThe Internet Assisted Review (IAR) module is a web-based system used in tandem with the Peer Review module to expedite the scientific review of grant applications. It provides a standard process for reviewers to submit critiques, preliminary scores and final scores and to view grant applications and related meeting materials via the eRA Commons. The IAR module is used during the pre-award phase of the grant application process. IAR allows one-click email capability between the scientific review officer and reviewer.

Quoted from the eRA Services for NIH Staff and Agency Partners Internet Assisted Review (IAR) webpage.

International Agency for Research on Cancer IARC  
The International Agency for Research on Cancer is the specialized cancer agency of the World Health Organization.
Institutional Biosafety Committee IBC  
Institutional Biosafety Committees (IBCs) were established under the NIH Guidelines to provide local review and oversight of nearly all forms of research utilizing recombinant or synthetic nucleic acid molecules. Over time, many institutions have chosen to assign their IBCs the responsibility of reviewing a variety of experimentation that involves biological materials (e.g., infectious agents) and other potentially hazardous agents (e.g., carcinogens). This additional responsibility is assigned entirely at the discretion of the institution.

Quoted from the NIH Office of Science Policy Biosafety IBC FAQ FAQs on IBC Administration.

Institute or Center IC  
The NIH organizational component responsible for a particular grant program or set of activities.

For a list of ICs, visit the NIH OER Glossary & Acronym List.

Integrative Cancer Biology Programs ICBPs  
For ten years from 2004-2014, DCB supported the Integrative Cancer Biology Program (ICBP), a precursor to the current Cancer Systems Biology Consortium (CSBC) . The ICBP brought together cancer biologists and oncologists with computer scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to tackle important cancer questions including the identification of tumor master transcriptional regulators, the role of microRNAs in cancer progression and metastasis, the development of drug resistance in heterogeneous tumor contexts, and optimization of combination therapies for cancer treatment.

Quoted from the NCI DCP Learn more about the Cancer System Biology Consortium webpage.

In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Centers ICMIC  
The NCI DCTD Cancer Imaging Program supports the In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging Centers (ICMIC), where scientists from a variety of fields conduct multidisciplinary research on cellular and molecular imaging related to cancer. Pre-ICMIC planning grants provide time and funds for investigators and institutions to prepare themselves, organizationally and scientifically, to establish ICMICs.
International Cancer Research Partnership ICRP  
Established in 2000, International Cancer Research Partnership (ICRP) is a unique alliance of cancer organizations working together to enhance global collaboration and strategic coordination of research.
Investigational Device Exemption IDE  
"An approved investigational device exemption (IDE) permits a device that otherwise would be required to comply with a performance standard or to have premarket approval to be shipped lawfully for the purpose of conducting investigations of that device."

Excerpted from 21 CFR §812.1.

Institutional Development Award IDeA  
Institutional Development Awards (IDeA) enhance biomedical and behavioral research in specific geographic areas. The Division of Research Infrastructure of the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) provides IDeA grants to foster research within states that traditionally have not received significant levels of competitive funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Quoted from the NIH OER Glossary & Acronym List.

Investigational Drug Steering Committee IDSC  
The Investigational Drug Steering Committee (IDSC) was established in 2005 to collaborate with the NCI in the design and prioritization of early phase drug development trials carried out within the Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN) with agents for which NCI's Cancer Therapy and Evaluation Program (CTEP) holds an Investigational New Drug (IND) application.

For additional information, visit the NCI CCCT Investigational Drug Steering Committee webpage.

Independent Ethics Committee IEC  
An Institutional Review Board (IRB) may also be known as an "Independent Ethics Committee."

Quoted from 42 CFR §11.10.

See: Human Subjects Protection Review Board
Interagency Edison iEdison  
See: iEdison
Indian Health Service IHS  
The Indian Health Service (IHS), an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services, is responsible for providing federal health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives.

For additional information, visit the Indian Health Service's website.

Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies IMAT  
The Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) program was established to support the development, technical maturation, and dissemination of novel and potentially transformative next-generation technologies through an approach of balanced but targeted innovation. In support of its mission, the IMAT program utilizes a variety of investigator-initiated research project grant mechanisms while retaining a strong commitment to diversity and to the training of scientists and clinicians in cross-cutting, research-enabling disciplines.

For additional information, visit NCI's Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) program webpage.

Internal Monitoring Board IMB  
Person(s) designated by a sponsor or contract research organization to oversee an investigation. A monitor may be an employee, contractor or consultant to a sponsor. Monitor also means to oversee an investigation.
See Also: Data and Safety Monitoring Board
IMPACII IMP2  
Information for Management, Planning, Analysis and Coordination (IMPAC) is the second generation computer database system developed and maintained by the Office of Extramural Research for information concerning PHS extramural programs.

In 1998, the NIH completed development and began deploying a revised version of its Information for Management, Planning, Analysis, and Coordination (IMPAC) system. IMPAC II is a system, used by internal NIH staff, to track and manage research grants and contracts. IMPAC II has been developed so its information can be migrated to the NIH Commons.

See Also: Electronic Research Administration Commons
Information for Management, Planning, Analysis, and Coordination IMPAC  
Information for Management, Planning, Analysis, and Coordination (IMPAC) was a computer database system developed and maintained by the Office of Extramural Research for information concerning PHS extramural programs. This internal NIH database contained confidential information on applications, awards, awardees, and peer reviewers. It has been replaced by IMPAC II.
See: IMPACII
Inclusion Management System IMS  
IMS was a data system that NIH used for reporting sex/gender, race, and ethnicity information as required by the NIH Policy on the Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Clinical Research.

The Inclusion Management System was replaced with the Human Subjects System (HSS) on June 9, 2018.

See: Human Subjects System
Treatment Investigational New Drug IND  
The treatment IND [21 CFR 312.34 and 312.35] is a mechanism for providing eligible subjects with investigational drugs for the treatment of serious and life-threatening illnesses for which there are no satisfactory alternative treatments. A treatment IND may be granted after sufficient data have been collected to show that the drug "may be effective" and does not have unreasonable risks. Because data related to safety and side effects are collected, treatment INDs also serve to expand the body of knowledge about the drug.

For additional information, visit the FDA's Treatment Use of Investigational Drugs – Information Sheet webpage.

See Also: Compassionate Use Trial
Investigational New Drug IND  
Investigational new drug means a new drug or biological drug that is used in a clinical investigation. The term also includes a biological product that is used in vitro for diagnostic purposes. The terms "investigational drug" and "investigational new drug" are deemed to be synonymous for purposes of this part.

Quoted from 21 CFR §312.3.

Investigational New Drug Application IND Application  
Under regulation 21 CFR §312, an application filed by a drug sponsor with FDA on Form FDA 1571 to conduct clinical trials, including detailed descriptions of all trial phases, protocols, Institutional Review Board (IRB) members, and investigators. Once clinical evaluation is completed, a new drug application must be submitted to FDA to obtain approval to market the drug. Often used interchangeably with "IND."
Institute of Medicine IOM  
See: Health and Medicine Division (HMD) of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine
Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program IPA  
Provides for the temporary assignment of personnel between the Federal Government and state and local governments, colleges and universities, Indian tribal governments, federally funded research and development centers, and other eligible organizations.

For additional information, visit the NIH Office of Human Resources intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Mobility Program webpage.

Intellectual Property Rights IPR  
Intellectual property rights are the rights given to persons over the creations of their minds.

Quoted from the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Topics TRIPS [ trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights ] webpage.

induced Pluripotent Stem Cell iPSC  
A type of pluripotent stem cell, similar to an embryonic stem cell, formed by the introduction of certain embryonic genes into a somatic cell.

Quoted from NIH's Stem Cell Information Glossary.

Institutional Review Board IRB  
These boards also review clinical trial protocols before studies can begin. The board members make sure that the risk of harms in a trial is low and that any harms are reasonable when compared to the possible benefits. They also closely watch the ongoing progress of the trial from beginning to end, and must review ongoing trials at least yearly. IRBs can require changes to the protocol—or even stop the trial—if necessary to ensure patient safety.

Federal rules require that each IRB include at least five people. It must include:

  • one scientist
  • one person who is not a scientist
  • one person who is not associated with the institution where the trial is taking place and who is not an immediate family member of someone who is associated with that institution

IRBs can also include doctors, nurses, social workers, chaplains, patient advocates, and other health care or community professionals. All members of an IRB are required to be educated about the IRB's purpose, functions, and responsibilities, as outlined in federal regulations.

In most cases IRBs are located where the trial is to take place. Many institutions that carry out clinical trials have their own IRBs. A clinical trial that is taking place at more than one institution often undergoes review by each institution's IRB.

Quoted from the NCI Clinical Trials Information — Patient Safety — Scientific Review webpage.

Institutional Review Board Approval IRB Approval  
IRB approval means the determination of the IRB that the research has been reviewed and may be conducted at an institution within the constraints set forth by the IRB and by other institutional and federal requirements.

Quoted from 45 CFR §46.102(h).

Initial Review Group IRG  
A NCI Initial Review Group (IRG) reviews grant and cooperative agreement applications for centers, research projects, and research training activities in the areas of cancer cause, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention; and contract proposals relating to all facets of cancer.

The NCI has four active NCI Initial Review Groups (IRGs) that are formed as chartered Subcommittees:

  • Cancer Centers — Subcommittee A,
  • Institutional Training and Education — Subcommittee F,
  • Transition to Independence — Subcommittee I,
  • Career Development — Subcommittee J.

For additional information, visit the NCI DEA Initial Review Group (IRG) webpage.

See Also: Integrated Review Group ;  Subcommittee
Integrated Review Group IRG  
A cluster of scientifically related Study Sections. Applications reviewed by the Center for Scientific Review (CSR) are often initially assigned at the Integrated Review Group (IRG) level and then subsequently assigned to a specific Study Section or Special Emphasis Panel. This two-stage process assignment process provides the opportunity to gain a broad perspective of the areas of science covered by the IRG and to appreciate changes in emphasis and the emergence of new areas while ensuring each application is reviewed by the most appropriate review group.

Source: NIH OER Glossary & Acronym List.

See Also: Initial Review Group
Intramural Research Program IRP  
The scientists, physicians, and clinicians who make up the NCI Intramural Research Program (IRP) conduct basic, clinical, and genomic and population-based research at the NIH Clinical Center and NCI offices and laboratories in Maryland. These researchers are members of two NCI components: the Center for Cancer Research (CCR) and the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG).

For additional information, visit The NCI Intramural Research Program webpage.