Animal Free Research UK

Animal Free Research UK is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1146896).

Animal Free Research UK is a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales (charity number 1146896) that funds research developing human-focused technologies as replacements for animal experiments. Its mission is to champion animal-free, human-specific technologies that deliver better treatments for human diseases faster. It runs Pilot grants, which let researchers explore replacement ideas and gather data to help secure further funding, and Transition grants, which support scientists moving from animal research to animal-free research. It says it has given £10M in grants to projects including those on cancer, diabetes and Covid-19, and its annual report shows £290,003 paid in its most recent reported year.

Priority Areas

Animal Free Research UK funds research developing human-focused technologies as replacements for animal experiments, with projects directly relevant to biomedical research and human health. Pilot grants help researchers explore replacement-science ideas and gather data to support applications for further funding; Transition grants support scientists moving from animal-based research to animal-free approaches. Researchers in universities, hospitals, research organisations and industry, including contract research organisations, can apply. Its named focus areas are cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease and toxicology, although projects outside these areas are also considered. Selection considers the potential to replace animal use, scientific merit and innovation, researchers’ expertise, feasibility and value to the wider scientific community.

Themes

• Animal-free research
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease
• Neurodegenerative disease
• Toxicology

Geographic Focus

No geographic focus is stated; the annual report shows grants mainly in Nottingham, Sheffield, Liverpool, Exeter and Keele.

Applicants complete either the Pilot Grant Application Form or the Transition Grant Application Form.

Deadlines: A closing deadline is set for each grant call.

Who can apply:

• Pilot & Transition Grants: Researchers in universities, hospitals, research organisations and industries including contract research organisations are eligible to apply.
• Pilot Study grant call: The primary applicant is expected to have tenure or an open-ended permanent contract/position.

What the charity says:

• The foundation particularly welcomes researchers moving from animal-based methods to relevant animal-free, human-focused approaches.
• Requests are assessed for animal-replacement potential and alignment with its strategic goals.
• It considers scientific merit and innovation.
• It considers the grant holder’s and project group’s expertise, experience and publication record.
• It considers feasibility, implementation, resources, budgeting and outputs.
• It considers the research’s merit to the wider scientific community and its dissemination plan.