The Humane Research Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1+ million (recent round: £1.04m to 5 projects)
• Success Rate: Highly competitive (Fellowship: anticipates funding 1 per round)
• Decision Time: 24 weeks from deadline
• Grant Range: £90,000 - £450,000
• Geographic Focus: UK universities and research institutions
• Total Investment to Date: Over £12 million since 1961

Contact Details

Address: 29 Bramhall Lane South, Bramhall, Stockport, Greater Manchester, SK7 2DN

Phone: 0161 439 8041

Email: info@humaneresearch.org.uk

Website: www.humaneresearch.org.uk

Grant Portal: Applications submitted via online grant portal on website

Overview

Founded in 1961, The Humane Research Trust is a UK medical research charity dedicated to funding animal-free research methods. With over £12 million invested to date across UK research institutions, the Trust supports scientists developing alternatives to animals and animal products in medical research. The charity was re-registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) in 2023 (charity number 1203103). Their mission centers on the belief that human cells and tissue provide the best models for human disease research, and that medical research involving animals cannot be justified under any circumstances. The Trust's current strategic priorities (2023-2026) focus on promoting the efficacy of non-animal research models, funding university research fellowships, and supporting cutting-edge scientific research that advances both medical techniques and human health while replacing animal testing.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Humane Research Fellowships

• Amount: Up to £450,000 over 5 years
• For: Early career PhD-qualified researchers establishing independent research programmes
• Covers: Salary, laboratory consumables, technician support, training, equipment, conference attendance, publication costs
• Application: Rolling programme with fixed deadlines (Stage 1 deadline: 21 December 2025)
• Competition: Highly competitive - Trust anticipates funding one Fellowship per round

Humane Research Project Grants

• Amount: £90,000 - £200,000
• Duration: Typically 2-4 years (PhD studentships up to 4 years; postdoc positions 2 years with possible 1-year extension)
• For: Principal Investigators applying for funding for PhD students or research assistants
• Covers: Stipend/salary, tuition fees, consumables, research facility costs, equipment, travel, publication costs (3% annual inflation adjustment from year 2)
• Application: Fixed deadlines with rotating focus areas (next round opens 2 February 2026, closes 24 May 2026)
• Focus Areas for 2026 Round: Autoimmune diseases, chronic pain, neurological conditions and microbiome, sepsis, or women's reproductive health

Priority Areas

The Trust funds research that:

• Develops novel in vitro (cell culture), ex vivo (donated human tissue), and in silico (computer modeling) methods
• Refines and validates existing non-animal research techniques
• Creates animal-free research tools and models
• Advances understanding of human diseases across broad medical sciences
• Focuses on rare diseases and under-represented research fields
• Replaces animals in preclinical testing stages (e.g., vaccine development)
• Uses 3D bioprinting, microfluidic technologies, and advanced cell culture techniques

Recent funded research areas include: cardiovascular disease, autism, vaccine testing, head and neck cancer, neurology, and cancer research.

What They Don't Fund

• Research using animals or animal-derived products at any stage of the project
• Researchers who plan to conduct in vivo animal research during the funded project
• For Fellowships specifically: Applicants who have previously participated in in vivo animal research
• Applicants who already hold permanent research positions or existing fellowships (Fellowships only)

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Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees

• Janet Tate-Smith (appointed December 2022) - Also trustee of Society for Abandoned Animals
• Paul Allan Gold (appointed July 2022) - Also trustee of Severn Hospice Limited
• Bryan Antony Homan (appointed July 2022)
• Barry Topham (appointed July 2022) - Also trustee of Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad
• Gillian Joyce Homan (appointed April 2020)

The Board meets quarterly to discuss grant awards and management decisions, with trustees working independently on management actions and projects between meetings.

Scientific Advisory Panel

Applications are assessed by an independent scientific advisory panel whose reviews inform the Board's science sub-committee, which develops shortlists and makes final funding decisions.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Stage 1: Initial Application

• Submit via online grant portal at humaneresearch.org.uk
• Applications checked within 2 weeks of closing date to confirm they meet guidance and policy criteria
• Must read and follow detailed application guidance documents before applying
• Existing and previous grant-holders eligible to apply

Stage 2: Scientific Review

• Eligible applications assessed by independent scientific advisory panel
• Board's science sub-committee reviews assessments and develops shortlist

Stage 3: Site Visit

• Trust arranges visit with shortlisted applicants
• Meet researcher and view laboratory facilities
• Clarify points raised in reviews

Stage 4: Final Decision

• Science sub-committee makes final award decisions

Decision Timeline

• Total Time: 24 weeks from application deadline to notification
• Initial Check: Within 2 weeks of deadline (eligibility confirmation)
• Final Notification: Within 24 weeks of deadline

Success Rates

Competition is described as “intense,” particularly for Fellowships where the Trust anticipates funding only one Fellow per application round. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, but given the fellowship's substantial £450,000 award and single-recipient model, success rates are very low.

For Project Grants, recent data shows 5 projects funded in one round totaling £1.04 million, suggesting selective but multi-award funding model.

Reapplication Policy

No explicit reapplication policy is published in available materials. Applicants should contact the Trust directly at info@humaneresearch.org.uk for guidance on resubmitting unsuccessful applications.

Application Success Factors

Key Assessment Criteria

For All Applications:

• Scientific merit and innovation of proposed research
• Potential impact on human medicine
• Potential impact on replacing animals in research
• Research team's expertise and track record
• Implementation plan and use of resources
• Clear articulation of project's positive impact

For Fellowships Specifically:

• Previous research experience and demonstrated impact
• Leadership skills and independence
• Applicant's knowledge of research area and methodologies
• Plans for using the Fellowship to develop as a leader in animal-free methods

Direct Advice from the Funder

The Trust emphasizes that “a successful proposal will effectively articulate the positive impact their project will have, both on human medicine and the replacement of animals in research.”

From Dr. Luke Green, Humane Research Fellow: “Being awarded a Humane Research Fellowship has been transformative for my career. It kickstarted my independent research group...”

Recent Funded Projects as Examples

2025 Grant Round Examples:

• Prof Deepak Kalaskar, UCL: Using microfluidic and 3D bioprinting to model human blood vessels for cardiovascular disease research
• Autism research using human brain cells in laboratory to examine primary cilia influence on neuron development
• Vaccine testing using donated human tonsil tissue with 3D cell culture to replace animal testing in preclinical stages
• 3D cell culture models for testing head and neck cancer treatments

These examples demonstrate the Trust's preference for innovative, cutting-edge techniques (3D bioprinting, microfluidics, advanced cell culture) applied to significant human health challenges.

Standing Out

• Demonstrate commitment: Even applicants with previous animal research history can apply for Project Grants if they demonstrate genuine commitment to non-animal methods going forward
• Innovation matters: Use of novel techniques and technologies (3D bioprinting, organoids, organ-on-chip, AI/machine learning models) appears strongly valued
• Impact articulation: Clearly explain dual impact on both advancing human health AND replacing animal research
• Follow guidance precisely: Applications are screened for compliance with guidance - non-compliant applications rejected at initial stage
• Leadership for Fellowships: First-author publications and demonstrated leadership in previous research projects are essential

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. Absolute animal-free commitment required: No animals or animal-derived products can be used at any stage. This is non-negotiable and central to the Trust's mission.

1. Dual impact essential: Applications must demonstrate value for both human health advancement AND animal replacement - not just one or the other.

1. Innovation and methodology matter: The Trust actively seeks novel techniques and cutting-edge approaches, not just application of existing methods to new disease areas.

1. Highly competitive with long timelines: Plan for 24-week decision process and recognize that competition is “intense,” particularly for the single Fellowship awarded per round.

1. Site visits for shortlisted candidates: Strong applications may lead to in-person laboratory visits, so ensure your institutional facilities can showcase your animal-free research capabilities.

1. UK-focused but broad disease scope: Must be based at UK institution, but disease areas are broad and include rare/under-represented conditions, not just major diseases.

1. Read guidance thoroughly: Applications failing to meet guidance criteria are rejected at the initial 2-week check stage - compliance is essential for proceeding to scientific review.

References

• The Humane Research Trust official website - Apply for funding page. https://humaneresearch.org.uk/apply-for-funding/ (Accessed: 2025-10-15)
• The Humane Research Trust - Research grants page. https://humaneresearch.org.uk/research-grants/ (Accessed: 2025-10-15)
• The Humane Research Trust - Fellowships page. https://humaneresearch.org.uk/research-fellowships/ (Accessed: 2025-10-15)
• The Humane Research Trust - About us page. https://humaneresearch.org.uk/about-us/ (Accessed: 2025-10-15)
• The Humane Research Trust - £1.04 million invested into animal-free medical research. https://humaneresearch.org.uk/new-research-grants-summer-2025/ (Accessed: 2025-10-15)
• UK Charity Commission - The Humane Research Trust, Charity Number 267779. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/267779 (Accessed: 2025-10-15)
• Wikipedia - Humane Research Trust. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humane_Research_Trust (Accessed: 2025-10-15)