Latest news from the NC3Rs: July 2025

The NC3Rs has committed over £60M for research and innovation to develop human-based in vitro models that replace the use of animals, better recapitulate human physiology and disease and increase the efficiency of drug development. Read out briefing paper which outlines how we have focused on replacing studies that involve large numbers of animals, high levels of animal suffering, or are poorly predictive in terms of their translatability or reproducibility. From a starting point of scientific excellence, we are developing the next generation of preclinical models and supporting the qualification, optimisation and uptake of in vitro alternatives.

Working with the BBSRC, we have launched a joint funding opportunity to support early-stage academic-industry collaborations focused on advancing 3Rs technologies in oncology, cardiovascular science and new approach methodologies for safety assessment. The Business Interaction Vouchers (BIV) scheme is open exclusively to NC3Rs Network members who can apply for up to £25k to fund short-term cross-sector projects that help improve the biological relevance, physiological accuracy, predictive validity and uptake of 3Rs models and tools. We have two upcoming events to introduce the new scheme:

📍 In-person networking event, 12 September, London
Learn more about the BIV scheme and connect with other Network members and industry representatives to explore shared interests and cross-sector collaborations.

🕑 Applicant webinar, 16 September, 14.00
Learn more about the BIV application and assessment process, including how to submit a competitive proposal.

Sunday 17 – Thursday 21 August
Portsmouth, UK
Dr Esther Pearl (Programme Manager – Experimental Design), will be sharing our work and resources relevant to research involving Xenopus, including improving experimental design for aquatic species and refining husbandry practices. Her talk includes outputs from a joint amphibian welfare workshop we held with the RSPCA Animals in Science department.

Thursday 13 November, 10.00 – 16.00 (GMT)
In partnership with the UK Reproducibility Network (UKRN), Dr Esther Pearl is running a train-the-trainer course on how to use, and teach others to use, the Experimental Design Assistant (EDA) to design robust in vivo experiments.

The course is open to those involved in designing animal experiments and/or reviewing experimental design in colleagues’ or students’ work. Attendees must be based in one of the 24 institutions participating in the UKRN Open Research Programme.

The VICT3R project aims to reduce animal use in toxicology research through the development of virtual control groups, based on historical preclinical data. They are running a survey to map the current landscape of preclinical research practices and identify study types and animal models where historical datasets are most accessible and suited for use in virtual control group frameworks. The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete and is open to anyone involved in animal research, including animal technicians, veterinary staff and researchers at all careers stages.