Deadline: 21-Dec-2025
Applications are now open for the Humane Research Fellowship Programme to support early career researchers to develop their career whilst using animal-free techniques to advance human health.
The Humane Research Fellowship provides post-doctoral researchers with an opportunity to establish their own independent animal-free research programme at a UK university or a connected research institution such as a hospital.
The Humane Research Fellowship offers funding of up to £450,000, providing comprehensive financial support for successful applicants.
The award will fund research that advances health and the understanding of human disease by quantitatively replacing animals in research. It supports the development of novel animal-free models or techniques or the application of existing in vitro, ex vivo, or in silico methods to test innovative hypotheses. Ethical approval from a relevant body must be obtained, sought, or confirmed as not required.
THRT funding covers the full cost of the fellow’s salary for up to five years, along with research consumables that are free of animal components. It also includes reasonable research facility costs, essential technician support, attendance at conferences, necessary equipment such as laptops or software, and open-access publication fees. However, the Trust does not fund university overheads, collaborator salaries, relocation expenses, or any work involving animals or animal-derived materials.
Eligible applicants must have played a leading role in previous research projects, hold first-author status on at least one peer-reviewed publication and must not have previously participated in in vivo animal research.
The fellowship is intended for researchers who do not currently hold another fellowship award or a permanent academic position. Collaborations are encouraged and can be international, provided that all collaborators are named, their roles described and their work does not involve animals or animal-derived products.
Assessment will consider the applicant’s research experience, leadership skills, scientific merit, implementation plan, and potential to develop as a research leader. Applicants must also demonstrate institutional support from their proposed host organisation, including access to facilities, mentoring, and clear career progression pathways.
Applications must be submitted through Tahua, the Trust’s cloud-based grant management platform, and follow a two-stage process: an initial outline application followed by a full proposal for shortlisted candidates.
Successful fellows will enter into an agreement with the Trust, submit annual progress reports, and provide detailed final reports upon completion. The Trust maintains close engagement during the fellowship through visits or virtual meetings and requires acknowledgment of its support in all research communications.
Fellows must notify the Trust prior to any publications or presentations, and any commercial outcomes must be discussed and approved by the Trust.
For more information, visit Humane Research Trust.
