Non-Animal Research
19 Jul 2008
Applying for Funding
The Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research is a registered charity established in 1970 to promote the development of techniques and procedures to replace the use of living animals in biomedical research, testing and teaching. To further this aim, the Trust supports, and assists scientists to discover techniques which will replace experiments on living animals; assists in the provision of facilities and equipment for such research; and encourages through publicity and education the wider adoption of such techniques.
Types of support include one-, two- or three-year grants for postdoctoral research fellows, technicians or research assistants, usually consisting of provision for salary, consumables and small items of equipment. Grants for larger items of equipment and support for attending meetings may be given to existing grant holders only. Occasionally other types of support may be considered, including organisation of workshops, conferences, or meetings; writing a book or report; or producing a film or video, that fulfil the Trust’s aims.
Research which requires or involves the use of living animals in any way, even though the ultimate aim may be to replace their use, will not be supported. The Trust will not fund the purchase or maintenance of animals for any reason.
Neither do we offer grants for research which uses (non-human) animal cells, animal tissues or animal cell lines. This reflects recent progress in the culture and availability of human cells and tissues, as well as concern about problems of species variation.
We do not fund any use of human fetal tissues or fetal cell lines, from whatever source, although human placenta or amnion may be used if obtained only from normal, full-term births, in which case details of supply must be given.
Research fellows, research assistants, technicians or PhD students whose salary or maintenance grant is paid by the Trust must not be involved in any way with animal experiments; or with studies of animal cells, animal tissues or animal cell lines; or with human fetal cells or tissues or human fetal cell lines, for the duration of the grant.
Research which is directly relevant to human health problems will receive priority consideration. Acceptable approaches may include the use of human volunteers, epidemiology, human cell lines, ex vivo or primary human tissues or cells in vitro, micro-organisms, plants, human sub-cellular components in vitro, physicochemical techniques or computer technology.
Grants are not available simply in support of non-animal research per se. The research must be directed towards replacing the use of living animals in current procedures within the applicant’s laboratory or, preferably, in the wider field.
How to Apply
Eligibility
Applications should be made by the head of the department or other tenured senior colleague who would take responsibility for directing the research, and should be actively engaged in carrying it through. Grant holders should be based in a UK university, medical school or hospital. Past grant holders are eligible to apply only if their grant expired more than two years ago.
Submitting an application
New applications are usually invited in October, although research proposals may be considered at other times. Potential applicants should contact the Trust’s head office to ascertain whether funds are available. Usually, they will be invited to submit a preliminary application for consideration by the Trust. If this is of interest, the applicant will be invited to submit a formal proposal.
For further information contact:
Carol Newman, Research Grants Co-ordinator.
Tel: 01462 436819
Email: info@drhadwentrust.org