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Press release

New PhD studentship awards announced

Split screen of NC3R's logo and British Heart Foundation logo

The NC3Rs and the British Heart Foundation partner to fund new PhD studentship awards.

We are pleased to announce 15 new PhD studentship awards totalling £1.35M. The awards aim to embed the 3Rs in the training of early career scientists from a broad range of research backgrounds, and are each worth £90,000 over three years. 

This year, three of the studentships are awarded jointly with the British Heart Foundation (BHF). These NC3Rs-BHF projects seek to achieve 3Rs impact in important areas in cardiovascular research, as well as ultimately improving human health. The awards include developing models of artery injury and aortic aneurysm that use fewer animals, and a project that explores the similarities between fruit fly and mammalian heart, potentially providing a new alternative model.

The remaining 12 NC3Rs-funded projects aim to replace, refine or reduce the use of animals in research areas such as cancer, stroke, neurodegenerative disease, immunology, and drug development. These projects will develop cutting edge technologies and models to better understanding disease and help find effective new treatments.

Dr Vicky Robinson CBE, Chief Executive of the NC3Rs said: “We are particularly excited about our PhD studentship partnership with the British Heart Foundation and hope that this will encourage other charities to work with the NC3Rs in this way. The new collaboration is a great opportunity to minimise the use of animals in cardiovascular research and at the same time provide benefits for patients.”

Professor Jeremy Pearson, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said: “These projects are a clear demonstration of our commitment to minimising and refining the involvement of animals in our funded research. The studies are also excellent science that could ultimately benefit people who suffer from a heart attack or aortic aneurysm.”

Advertising for suitable candidates will begin in early 2016. For full details and how to apply, visit the studentship vacancies page.

The studentship awards are as follows (in alphabetical order):

 

Notes for Editors:

Contact the NC3Rs Media Office:

Kasia Makowska, Press and Communications Officer

Email: katarzyna.makowska@nc3rs.org.uk

Tel: 020 7611 2275

  1. About the NC3Rs

The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) is a leading independent scientific organisation dedicated to replacing, refining and reducing the use of animals in research and testing (the 3Rs). It supports the UK science base by driving and funding innovation and technological developments that minimise the need for animals in research and testing, and lead to improvements in welfare where animals continue to be used. It funds research, supports training and development, and stimulates changes in regulations and practice.

Primarily funded by Government, the NC3Rs is also supported by the charitable and private sectors. It works with scientists in universities and industry in the UK and internationally.

Further information can be found at: www.nc3rs.org.uk @nc3rs http://blog.nc3rs.org.uk

  1. About the British Heart Foundation

Coronary heart disease is the UK’s single biggest killer. For over 50 years we’ve pioneered research that’s transformed the lives of people living with heart and circulatory conditions. Our work has been central to the discoveries of vital treatments that are changing the fight against heart disease. But so many people still need our help. From babies born with life-threatening heart problems to the many Mums, Dads and Grandparents who survive a heart attack and endure the daily battles of heart failure. Join our fight for every heartbeat in the UK. Every pound raised, minute of your time and donation to our shops will help make a difference to people’s lives.

For more information visit bhf.org.uk