Supporting Research | Replacing Animal Research

Funding Schemes

In just two years, 62 researchers have come to us with one shared belief: that science can do better. Smarter. Kinder. Human-relevant.

Our Innovation Grant shines a spotlight on bold, game-changing ideas. Of 33 bold proposals, 23 made it to the next stage, but one project really stood out to us. In 2024, Professor Divya Maitreyi-Chari of Keele University School of Medicine received £14,797 for “A humanised model of brain injury to study tissue damage and repair” — a brilliant example of replacing invasive research that causes distress and suffering to animals with human-relevant science.

Then come the Summer Studentships, small grants with a big impact. In 2025, we saw 13 applications and backed four standouts, investing £13,326 in the future of science:

Agata Knaak, University of Strathclyde – “Redefining microsome use in drug metabolism” (£4,500, Dr Nicholas Rattray)
Casey Teo, UCL – “Restoring function in iPSC-based models of late-onset retinal degeneration using CRISPR-mediated gene editing” (£1,000, Dr Ana Alonso-Carriazo Fernandez)
Emily Pyart, University of Nottingham – “Development of representative 3D tumour models” (£4,500, Prof Beth Coyle)
Luisa Vasques Callegari, University of Edinburgh – “Validation of an endothelial barrier on the underside of Transwell inserts for organ compartmentalisation in single- or multi-organ-on-chip research” (£3,326, Dr Liam Carr)

These are not just projects; they’re proof that the next generation of science is here, ambitious, inventive, and done without animals.

Replacement Tools and Training

Our Replacement Checklist is a simple, practical tool that’s already making a huge difference. It ensures researchers and reviewers are actually exploring Replacement, have the tools they need to challenge animal use, and empowers them to prioritise non-animal methods. Since launching, it’s been adopted across the UK, Ireland, and internationally, giving scientists the clarity, confidence, and tools to drive real, practical change.

We’ve been taking it everywhere, in-person and online, to make sure the momentum spreads:

Northern Ireland’s AWERB Hub (April 2024)
NC3Rs 3Rs Symposium at Bristol, Bath, Exeter & Cardiff (December 2024) — leading to further engagement like Bristol’s Establishment Licence Holders Annual Meeting (2025)
North Eastern Scotland Universities group (September 2024)
Co-hosting Dundee’s 3Rs Day
Ireland’s National Committee for the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Purposes Annual 3Rs Training Event (May 2025)
RSPCA Animals in Science AWERB lay members from 37 establishments (December 2024)
Webinars for Red Kite Veterinary Services and our first international webinar (2025)
Upcoming Fin3Rs Centre training in Finland (November 2025)

And that’s just the UK and Europe. Our reach is global:

FELASA Congress 2025, Athens — co-hosting a workshop with 68 participants from 52 countries, oversubscribed and run twice
Johns Hopkins CAAT 12th Annual 3Rs Symposium
Establishment Licence Holder’s Forum 2025, Francis Crick Institute

The response has been overwhelmingly positive and, vitally, is already making sure Replacement is prioritised.

“We have since adopted the Replacement Checklist in our University, incorporating it into ethical review… an extremely effective tool.” – Animal Care and Welfare Officer, Maynooth University, Ireland

“The Checklist is the best replacement tool I have ever seen.” – Home Office Inspector, UK

“We now use this checklist as part of our AWERB process and also as CPD discussion and agreed we appreciate how easy it is to use.” – Named Training and Competency Officer, Imperial College, UK

From workshops to webinars, from the UK to Finland and beyond, the Replacement Checklist is equipping scientists to question animal use, prioritise non-animal research, and change the way science is done.

ATLA – Alternatives to Laboratory Animals

For over 50 years, the ATLA journal has been supporting the development, validation, and novel application of non-animal methods with a particular focus on Replacement. The journal also features research that aims to reduce or refine experiments that are still carried out using animals, as well as advocating for changes to global animal use policies. ATLA is published six times per year, in partnership with Sage Publishing.

Reaching new heights

This year we reached an all time high with the journal’s Impact Factor (a measure of reach and engagement within scientific journals) increasing to 3.1

ATLA is also being accessed by more people than ever with 92,886 full-text downloads of articles in the 2024 calendar year.

A global journal for non-animal research

Sage and Replacing Animal Research are committed to the global dissemination of engaged scholarship. Over 7,000 libraries are able to access ATLA at highly discounted rates or free of charge, via Sage’s involvement in initiatives such as the UN’s Research4Life, the International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) and eIFL (Electronic Information for Libraries).

<h1 style="text-align: left; font-size: 36px;">How Replacing Animal Research is supporting research</h1>

Our Progress

Funding Schemes

Replacement Tools and Training

“The Checklist helps us plan non-animal approaches, justify replacements in grants, and streamline ethics documentation.”

ATLA – Alternatives to Laboratory Animals

Reaching new heights

A global journal for non-animal research

Resources for researchers