Project eligibility

• Replacing Animal Research does not fund any projects that use live animals, including invertebrates. This includes work on reduction and refinement or partial replacement.  In line with our mission, the Innovation Grant scheme funding is projects demonstrating excellent science, and are developing innovative, human-focussed, non-animal research methods. Applicants whose projects focus on reduction, refinement, or animal welfare may want to consider looking for funding via other sources, such as NC3Rs. Read more in our Funding Policy.
• If your project involves any animal-derived products, you must clearly justify their use in the project and demonstrate how you have researched available alternatives.
• Applications must indicate other potential and confirmed funding sources for the project.
• As part of the Replacing Animal Research ethos we expect the outcomes and methods of these projects to be made publicly available and accessible to non-specialists. If this incurs costs, for example, open-access publishing, these can be included and considered as part of the application.
• We also expect that the project will contribute to the skills development of the researcher and/or progress their career in alternatives research.

Applicant eligibility

The lead applicant will be the grant holder.

• The lead applicant must be a UK resident and the project based in GB or NI (overseas researchers cannot be the lead applicant but can be included as collaborators).
• The lead applicant must hold a post (for the duration of the project and beyond) at a recognised UK higher education institution, non-profit organisation, research centre or relevant industry setting and have the support and facilities there to carry out the project. We will accept applications from early career researchers and post-doctoral staff.
• We will also consider applications from researchers working within the commercial sector if the project results will be shared openly. We will not fund any project which aims to generate commercial IP for the grantee or their organisation.
• The lead applicant must hold a PhD.

Our two-stage process

We use a two-stage application process. The first stage involves summarising the project, how it is innovative (why we should fund it), and a 1R impact statement explaining how the project supports the replacement of animal methods.

To apply you must first complete all sections of the online application form.

Applicants of projects that successfully make it to Stage Two will be notified by email and asked to return a full application for review. Please see the Stage 2 Application Form for details of all additional documentation and information required

APPLY FOR INNOVATION GRANT

Innovation Grant awards are likely to be around £5k-£6k each, however, we will consider project applications up to a maximum of £15k. Please note that this grant does not cover salaries. Projects must have a duration between 6 months and 2 years.