Pilot & Transition Grants
— THIS GRANT CALL IS NOW CLOSED —
Innovative animal replacement pilot and transition grants
Animal Free Research UK is excited to be launching the Centre for Human Specific Research, a pioneering new initiative dedicated to supporting the acceleration of new treatments for human disease through the adoption of human-specific, animal-free research.
The Centre for Human Specific Research will support the existing scientific community of Animal Free Research UK, while expanding its reach to engage with other scientific organisations, such as pharmaceutical companies. With this approach we hope to foster a collaborative change to benefit everyone.
Animal Free Research UK remains dedicated to continuing our support of scientists through our grants programme. Starting with the upcoming grant call 2025, this will now sit under the Centre for Human Specific Research. The latest grant call opens on 14th November 2024, and full details of how to apply can be found on the Centre’s website.
The Centre for Human Specific Research is set to launch in mid-December 2024, marking the start of an exciting new chapter for the charity. Stay tuned for updates and announcements as the Centre prepares to support the scientific community in shaping a future of human-specific, animal-free research!
The Centre will be awarding innovative pilot and transition grants to accelerate the development and wider adoption of animal-free technologies to improve medical research for the good of patients, science, and animals.
- Pilot grants enable researchers to explore new ideas in replacement research that merit further development, and to enable the collection of sufficient data to assist in securing further funding from other funding organisations.
- Transition grants support scientists to transition from animal research to animal-free research. We particularly welcome applications from researchers who are currently using animal-based research methods and are seeking to replace these with relevant animal-free, human-focused approaches.
Grant focus areas
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular disease
- Neurodegenerative disease
- Toxicology
Projects outside of these areas will also be considered.
Relevant animal-free scientific approaches may include in vitro technologies such as organ-on-chips and human-derived organoids/spheroids, ex vivo tissue models and in silico models such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and omics approaches.
Grant DetailsÂ
- Budget: from £5,000 to £25,000Â
- Duration: from 6 months to 2 years
- Eligible Costs: personal support for a Primary Scientist (capped at 50% of the total project cost), consumables and small equipment items
- We are open to receiving applications with matched funding
Eligibility and Requirements
- Projects should provide further insight into the utility of human-focused technologies and advance their development, validation and application as replacements for current animal experiments.
- Projects should be directly relevant to biomedical research and human health.
- Pilot grants are only available to support entirely animal-free protocols.
- Transition projects allow for the use of animal-derived biomaterials (ADBs) when a clear humanisation plan is in place. These ADBs will not be covered by the grant.
- Researchers in universities, hospitals, research organisations and industries including contract research organisations are eligible to apply.
Grant Selection CriteriaÂ
- Animal replacement potential and alignment to Animal Free Research UK strategic goals
- Scientific merit and innovation
- Grant holder and project group expertise, experience and publication record
- Feasibility and implementation plan, resources, budgeting and output
- Merit of proposed research to the broader scientific community and dissemination plan
How to applyÂ
- Carefully read our Terms and Conditions  and Grant Fact Sheet.
- Complete the Pilot Grant Application Form or the Transition Grant Application Form.
- Contact us at grants@humanspecificresearch.org if you have any questions. Â
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 31st January 2025. Â
TRANSITION GRANT APPLICATION FORM
