Summer Studentships

The Replacing Animal Research Summer Studentship programme offers small grants for undergraduate or Masters students to do a short summer research project in an area related to the development or progress of methods that are helping to replace animal research. It’s an opportunity for students to gain research experience, develop their communication skills, and help reduce reliance on animal research.

Replacing Animal Research believes that the accepted practice of using animals for researching human drugs and diseases is fundamentally flawed; however viable human-focused methods don’t exist in all areas yet. This grant offers students the opportunity to contribute to the replacement of animals in research and gain practical research and sci-comms experience.

What are we looking for?

We’re looking for students who are passionate about science, which develops and promotes non-animal methods that will provide a better future for animals and humans. Projects can be desk or lab-based but must be novel and have the potential to advance methods or knowledge that will support replacement, even if the project wasn’t planned as a direct replacement to animal research.

If you want to discuss your proposed project before applying, email our Research Manager Juliet Dukes at juliet@replacinganimalresearch.org.uk.

The Replacing Animal Research Summer Studentship grants are just one way we provide funding for research.

The aim of the Summer Studentship scheme

• To give undergraduates a first-hand opportunity to gain greater experience of research which relates to the development of alternatives.
• To promote and fund research which fits within the aims of Replacing Animal Research.
• To give undergraduates an opportunity to develop scientific writing and communication skills.
• To raise the profile of non-animal-based research careers amongst undergraduate students.
• To interest students in postgraduate research in the 3Rs, and Replacement in particular.

Studentship details

• Duration: 6 – 10 weeks
• Stipend: £350 per week
• Consumables & research costs: Up to £1000 maximum

Eligibility and application information

• Applicants must be associated with Universities or Research Institutes within the UK. The applicant must be supported or advised by an academic project supervisor based at the same UK institution who can act as the grant holder.
• Projects must focus on full replacement and human relevance. There may be some exceptions where projects looking at full replacement of another target species are potentially eligible, e.g. to replace the use of fish in environmental toxicity tests. Read more in our Grant Funding Policy. If you are still unclear about whether a project is eligible, please email juliet@replacinganimalresearch.org.uk for more information.
• Applicants must be an undergraduate or current master’s student at the same University as the Supervisor.
• Applications must be made by the student and contain the information and support documents specified. The application should be written by the student, in their own words, with guidance from the project supervisor.
• If you are successful, alongside a report on your work, you’ll be asked to take part in a short online presentation on your project to the Replacing Animal Research team. In the lead up to this, the team will be available to support you in preparing for this.
• The project proposal must include:
  • An explanation of how the project has the potential to replace animal use or advance alternative techniques, including background information on current animal research strategies in the field.
  • A Lay Summary written for a non-specialist audience to include the background science, aims, a description of the method and planned outcomes.
  • Main aims/hypothesis
  • Plan of work (with timescales/Gantt chart)
  • A simple budget outlining research costs
  • Student personal statement
  • References – including supporting statements from the project supervisor.
  • Academic transcript of current grades.

The application process

• Download a PDF application form | Download a Word(.doc) Application form
• Applications will be reviewed by a panel including our Scientific Advisory Panel and Replacing Animal Research Staff and/or Trustees
• Applications will be judged on the quality of the application itself, the novelty and fit with Replacing Animal Research’s mission, the potential of the research to replace animals, scientific relevance, cost, achievability, and the possibility of the work leading to future research opportunities.
• Successful applicants will be notified by the end of May 2026. Unless requested, feedback on unsuccessful applications will not be provided.
• Successful applicants must submit a report of minimum of 1500 words within 3 months of the project completion. Reports must be of publishable quality and will be shared on the Replacing Animal Research website. There may be an opportunity to cover them in the scientific journal Alternatives to Laboratory Animals (ATLA).
• Replacing Animal Research’s Report Writing Guidance for Summer Studentship Project.
• Successful applicants are encouraged to support any PR or publicity relating to the summer internships to gain valuable experience in science communication and to benefit and promote the activities of Replacing Animal Research.
• Read more in the Replacing Animal Research Summer Studentship Terms and Conditions document, which must be accepted by the host institution (university), project supervisor, and the student applying.

The deadline for 2026 Applications is midnight March 30th 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: We do not fund any project that requires the use of live animals, including invertebrate species. Any proposed use of animal tissue, cells or animal-derived products must be clearly stated and justified. If you believe that no alternative to the specified animal-derived product exists, we will discuss with you how this may be overcome. Read more in our Grant Funding Policy.

If you have any questions about the Summer Studentships please get in touch with our Research Manager Juliet Dukes.

Completed forms, signed by your proposed Supervisor, should be emailed to juliet@replacinganimalresearch.org.uk