CAAT’s Beyond Classical Refinement Program, led by Kathrin Herrmann, PhD, has been awarding two annual grants for Reduction of animal experiments and for humane education. The Reduction Grant is given to a research project that helps reduce animal use by identifying areas of research and testing where animal models lack reproducibility and translational value. The Humane Education Grantis awarded for the development of animal-free training resources for veterinary, medical or laboratory courses. Each grant includes prize money of $6,000 USD. The jury, consisting of five members of the Beyond Classical Refinement Program’s Advisory Board, had to decide among numerous excellent proposals. 

Valerie Speirs, Professor of Molecular Oncology, University of Aberdeen, is the winner of CAAT’s 2023 Reduction Grant. Her proposal “Alternatives to animals in cancer research: what, how and why not – a systematic review” has the overarching goal to reduce the numbers of animals used in breast cancer research using an evidence-based approach to change the mindset of scientists. This will be achieved through two aims. The principal aim is to conduct a systematic review to identify animal replacement models in breast cancer research and assess their reproducibility and translational value. A secondary aim is to identify any perceived barriers to adoption by the scientific community, which may be highlighted in these papers, and/or become evident in the systematic review. This novel approach will challenge the preconception in science that universal animal research is required for successful high impact publications and high value grants, by evaluating the promise and raising the awareness of robust animal free alternative approaches to the research community. It will also identify new avenues of research that can be exploited in future breast cancer research projects.

Nick Jukes, the Coordinator of InterNICHE (International Network for Humane Education) won CAAT’s 2023 Humane Education Grant for his project proposal “Alternatives in education: A comprehensive information resource” which relates to the production of a comprehensive information resource to support transformational change in veterinary, medical and biology education worldwide. It focuses on a multi-language set of printed and online materials that detail the range of alternative methods by discipline for each faculty, and how these humane innovations can fully replace harmful animal use and enhance knowledge and skills acquisition in higher education. Such methods are increasingly becoming the norm, but there is still much change to achieve. The online materials will use and be integrated with existing and forthcoming resources such as the InterNICHE Alternatives and Studies databases, the video resource database featuring the clips taken from the InterNICHE veterinary film series, and the films themselves. The materials are to be targeted at teachers, students, campaigners, and trainers internationally, as well as the interested public. They will inform all users with the latest concepts, definitions, arguments, and examples in the field, including such methods’ pedagogical, ethical, social, and economic advantages. And it will empower those who work for change with a comprehensive and powerful new resource for reference and for distribution. Such a set of resources has not been produced in this way to date.