Animal Free Research UK

The funder supports research in physical and mental health, targeting conditions such as neurological diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders. Acceptable approaches include human volunteers, epidemiology, human cell lines, ex vivo tissues, 3D organoids, organ-on-a-chip systems, microorganisms, plants, in vitro components, biophysical and biochemical techniques, and computer technology. Funded activities cover proof-of-concept pilots for new ideas, transition projects moving from animal-based to animal-free methods, PhD studentships training graduates in non-animal research, and postdoctoral positions for early career scientists. Costs supported include research, salaries, and equipment, while core costs are excluded. All funded work must take place in the UK.

Applications are accepted from UK-based universities, hospitals, research organisations, industry, and contract research organisations. PhD studentships and postdoctoral positions are open only to universities, while the summer student programme also includes companies. Beneficiaries are the general public, and priority is given to researchers committed to animal-free methods. Organisations must be based in the UK and conduct their work within the country. The funder welcomes unsolicited applications and is open to matched funding arrangements.

The funder excludes all research involving living animals, animal tissue, animal cells or cell lines, the purchase or maintenance of animals, and animal serum or animal-based biomaterials where non-animal alternatives exist. Human embryonic or foetal stem cells are also excluded. Additionally, they do not fund core costs or top-up existing research projects. The exclusion of animal-based methods applies across all their programmes.

Grants are typically multi-year, with durations ranging from a single year to three years, depending on the programme. They support project costs, salaries, and equipment, but not core costs. The funder welcomes unsolicited applications and is open to matched funding. Their funding style emphasises proof-of-concept work, transitions from animal to animal-free methods, and training for researchers at various career stages.