Humane Research Trust CIO

The Humane Research Trust CIO, established in 1961 as the Lawson Tait Memorial Trust and later rebranded to broaden its scope, is a UK charitable incorporated organisation dedicated to advancing medical and scientific research that eliminates animal use in favour of humane alternatives like human tissue, in vitro systems, computer modelling, and tissue engineering. Rooted in anti-vivisection principles from founding partners such as the National Anti-Vivisection Society, its core mission promotes human health benefits alongside animal welfare through rigorous, ethical, animal-free methodologies, distinguishing it from generalist medical funders by mandating replacement of animal models and products.

It funds biomedical and healthcare research across human diseases—including neurological conditions, cancer, and more—via Project Grants (£90,000–£200,000 over 2–4 years), Humane Research Fellowships (up to £450,000 for 5 years supporting early-career researchers), and PhD/postdoctoral studentships. Grants cover salaries, consumables, equipment, training, and dissemination, benefiting patients, the public, and animals by avoiding experimentation, with priority on projects demonstrating medical relevance and innovative non-animal techniques.

Eligible applicants are UK-based academic institutions and principal investigators (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland) with no income thresholds; applications via the Tahua online portal require strict animal-free commitments, institutional approvals, and ethical protocols. Fellowships involve a two-stage process (Stage 1 outline by 21 December 2025; Stage 2 by 12 April 2026), while Project Grants open 2 February to 24 May 2026; decisions within 24 weeks via peer review and interviews/site visits.

Exclusions include any animal-involved research, core operational costs, or unrestricted expenses; its unique peer-reviewed focus on dual human health and animal replacement impact sets it apart, fostering awareness and capacity for humane science.