ATTENTION ALL ANIMAL RESEARCHERS: Per Diem and Fee Increases

 To all Animal Researchers at JHU,

As you likely recall from our message last year, Research Animal Resources (RAR) has for many years balanced its budget by aggressive cost containment measures, renegotiation of vendor contracts, and shifting priorities wherever possible.  In the face of continuous increases in prices for essential supplies, services, and labor and a growing deficit during COVID-19, JHU elected not to pass these costs onto researchers for fiscal years 2021-2022, instead subsidizing the animal program budget. Despite increasing last year for the first time in over a decade, JHU per diems remain lower than at the majority of our peer institutions, and the costs associated with maintaining one of the nation’s largest and most varied animal research programs continue to increase.

Beginning August 1, 2023, per diems for animal care administered by JHU Research Animal Resources (RAR) will increase by 15%.  See the list of new rates for commonly used categories.  Technical service fees will see similar increases, though the exact percentage will vary by line item.  Additionally, a new animal ordering fee will be instituted, with a $30 fee assessed for each order of rodents or non-mammalian species, and a $50 fee for all other animals.

Ongoing analysis of animal research costs will determine increases in subsequent years, though further increases are anticipated annually for the next few years.  We understand that the specifics of this year’s increase are coming with little lead time – we will do all that we can to determine and publicize future increases as early as possible.

To address any questions you may have regarding these changes, we will be holding town hall events over the next 2 weeks.  These meetings will be held virtually from 11-12 on Friday 7/21 and Wednesday 7/26 at the zoom link below.  If you are unable to attend and have questions, please feel free to contact Eric Hutchinson at ehutchi8@jh.edu  

https://jhjhm.zoom.us/j/99692987455

Meeting ID: 996 9298 7455

One tap mobile

+13017158592,,99692987455#

Thank you,
Eric Hutchinson, DVM, DACLAM
Attending Veterinarian and Assistant Vice Provost for Animal Research, Johns Hopkins University
Director, Research Animal Resources
Assistant Professor, Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology

Denis Wirtz
Vice Provost for Research
T.H. Smoot Professor
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Pathology, Oncology, INBT
Director, Physical-Sciences Oncology Center
Johns Hopkins University
wirtz@jhu.edu