Biological Use Authorization (BUA)
A Biological Use Authorization (BUA) permits the use of biohazardous materials for research or teaching activities. You must submit an application if your research involves:
- Infectious organisms (bacteria, viruses, mold, fungi, yeast, parasites, prions, etc.) that may cause disease in healthy humans, or cause significant environmental or agricultural impact
- Work with human, sheep and primate tissues, fluids, cells, or cell culture
- Recombinant DNA
- Transgenic plants, insects or animals
- Human gene therapy
- Select agents
- Intentional release of recombinant DNA to the environment
- Work with animals known to be potential reservoirs of zoonotic diseases
- All work at Biosafety Level 2 (BSL2) and higher
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires this authorization if you receive NIH funding or work at an institution that receives NIH funding. A BUA can be submitted with the Office of Research.
After submission, the BUA will be reviewed by the Biosafety Officer to determine if it requires review by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). If the BUA is exempt from IBC review, it will be approved at Biosafety Level 1 by the Chair of the IBC. All work done at Biosafety Level 2 or higher is reviewed by the IBC. The IBC meets the third Thursday of the month as needed. All BUAs are current for two years after which a new BUA must be reviewed by the IBC.
Your original BUA is stored and you have access to it online. You can make changes to your original BUA and resubmit the amended BUA to the IBC.