Which organization is responsible for administering licenses and registrations to research facilities?

The organization responsible for administering licenses and registrations to research facilities is the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which is a division of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). APHIS oversees the ethical treatment of animals in research and the enforcement of regulations related to animal care and welfare.

APHIS regulates the use of animals in research under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), ensuring that research facilities comply with federal standards for the care and use of animals. This includes issuing licenses for facilities that conduct research involving animals and maintaining oversight to ensure compliance with regulations. The organization plays a critical role in protecting animal welfare and ensuring that research practices meet necessary ethical standards.

While the NIH and USDA are involved in various aspects of research funding and animal welfare, APHIS specifically focuses on the registration and licensing process for research facilities, making it the correct answer. The EPA, on the other hand, deals primarily with environmental protection and does not cover the licensing of research facilities related to animal research.