2023 Excellence in Refinement Award Call for Nominations - DEADLINE EXTENDED
Credit: We Animals Media Call for Nominations: Charles River, in cooperation with Johns Hopkins University's Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), is pleased to announce that nominations are now being accepted for the 2023 Excellence in Refinement Award. This award, which is given every three years, will be presented in Niagara Falls, Canada at the 12th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences 27-31 August 2023. The Charles River Excellence in Refinement Award, consisting of a suitably inscribed plaque, a travel stipend up to $2000 maximum, and a $5000 honorarium to further the recipient's scientific endeavors, is given to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development, promotion and/or implementation of refinement alternatives. The nominee may be a resident of any country. All monies are in USD. Nomination packet should include: - Curriculum vitae with bibliography
- Brief sketch of nominee’s professional background
- Statement pertaining to his/her qualifications for the award
- Two professional letters from individuals or associations familiar with the nominee’s work
The award criteria include: - Publications and presentations in the field of laboratory animal science, welfare or ethics
- Teaching and training activities that foster the highest standards of working with animals in science and education
- Public outreach supporting the 3Rs
- Involvement in development of national, regional or public policy enhancing the 3Rs
- Strength of nomination letters
- Contributions to the implementation of the 3Rs in biomedical research
- Other attributes not covered above that should be considered, such as grants to enhance animal care and use programs or involvement in professional organizations (particularly leadership roles).
The completed nomination packet must be received no later than May 15th. Nominations should be sent electronically directly to CAAT at caat@jhu.edu. The winner will be contacted. ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE WINNERS OF THE 2022 CAAT REDUCTION AWARD AND THE CAAT HUMANE EDUCATION AWARD
Photo by Jo-Anne McArthur/ NEAVS / We Animals Media 2022 CAAT Reduction Award Congratulations to Prof. Dr. Stefan Schildknecht from Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, Germany, who won the 2022 CAAT Reduction Award for his project proposal titled “Development of an Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) for the relationship between ferroptosis induction and the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons”. Project summary: Ferroptosis has been identified as an iron-dependent form of cell death and can be distinguished from e.g., apoptosis or necrosis. Elevated levels of iron are a hallmark of those regions of the brain affected in Parkinson’s disease. Consequently, the hypothesis of a potential contribution of ferroptosis in Parkinson’s disease-associated neurodegeneration evolved in the scientific community. In recent years, the number of reports covering ferroptosis has expanded significantly, a clear picture of the actual contribution of ferroptosis in parkinsonian neurodegeneration however has not crystallized so far. The project focuses on the development of an “Adverse Outcome Pathway” (AOP) on the relationship between ferroptosis induction and the degeneration of neuronal subpopulations affected in parkinsonian movement disorders. An AOP represents (according to OECD guidelines) a highly structured organization of published data from the literature to allow conclusions on the presence or absence of a causal relationship between a “Molecular Initiating Event” and an “Adverse Outcome” of clinical relevance. The proposed AOP aims to: a) evaluate the strength of available knowledge on a causal correlation between ferroptosis induction and parkinsonian neurodegeneration; b) identify and highlight current knowledge gaps to guide further research efforts. The AOP hence can contribute to a reduction in animal experiments by providing a dynamic (Wiki principle) and freely available platform allowing visualization of research gaps and avoiding unnecessary reproduction of biomedical studies. 2022 CAAT Humane Education Award Congratulations to Dr. Vivian Kral and Dr. Christian Zoschke from Free University Berlin, Germany, who won the 2022 CAAT Humane Education Award for their project titled “3Rs Info Hub PRO - Your go-to place for training on non-animal research”. Project summary: The 3Rs Info Hub PRO will provide ready-to-use courses to professors in natural sciences, medicine etc., aiming to cover a wide range of applications for alternatives to animal testing. The 3Rs Info Hub PRO relies on the expertise of scientists, transforms their published methods into high-quality teaching materials, and creates complete courses for students. Thanks to the support from CAAT, the first course on brain organoids will combine lessons on human brain organoids with insights into brain anatomy and physiology, brain diseases, brain function measurements, and animal brain models. Highlights include 3D models, videos and animations based on notes from the method developers and expert interviews. Each learning unit includes an interactive quiz, which enables students to confirm their learning success independently. The ready-to-use courses will enable lecturers to teach this important topic on a high scientific and didactic level with a reasonable effort in preparation. The 3Rs Info Hub PRO course on brain organoids serves as a proof-of-concept study. Detailed evaluation results of the study will be incorporated into its continuous improvement as well as into the design of subsequent courses. Once known for its quality and scientific excellence, the 3Rs Info Hub PRO will aim to expand so that the implemented teaching materials can improve the curriculum of students around the globe. Ultimately, this will help to refute the necessity of animal tests in science, as future innovations depend on the quality of today’s teaching. Each Award includes prize money of USD 6,000. Charles River Laboratories' Excellence in Refinement AwardSince 2005 Charles River, in cooperation with Johns Hopkins University's Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT), has proudly sponsored the Charles River Excellence in Refinement Award. This award honors an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development, promotion, and/or implementation of refinement methods in practice. We are happy to announce that the 2020 Charles River Laboratories Excellence in Refinement Award was presented to Professor Adrian Smith during the 11th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences in August 2021. When the jury assessed the nominations, Adrian Smith, who is secretary to the Norwegian 3Rs platform, was the clear winner - not only because of his many decades long contributions in furthering Refinement methods but also for his success in promoting and disseminating not only Refinement but also scientific rigor, Reduction and Replacement methods through the Norecopa platform, Norway's National Consensus Platform for the advancement of the 3Rs. Adrian Smith is terrific at collaborating and at implementing new ideas and getting people excited about them, so they want to contribute 2017 Charles River Laboratories Excellence in Refinement Award 2014 Charles River Laboratories Excellence in Refinement Award 2011 Charles River Laboratories Excellence in Refinement Award 2009 Charles River Laboratories Excellence in Refinement Award 2007 Charles River Laboratories Excellence in Refinement Awards 2005 Charles River Laboratories Excellence in Refinement Awards Next Generation Humane Science AwardThe Next Generation Humane Science Award is available annually to young scientists to acknowledge and encouraging researchers who focus on replacing the use of animals in experiments. The 2023 award will be a 1st prize of $5,000 to recognize the outstanding work of one young scientist. Depending on the amount and quality of the applications, a 2nd place $4,000 award may be issued as well. Please email your completed application to caat@jhu.edu.
Full application here
Reduction and Refinement AwardFormerly Science-Based Refinement Award This award focuses on research projects that help reduce animal use by (for example) identifying areas of research and testing where animal models lack reproducibility and translational value or that enhance the housing, handling, and/or experimental procedures for laboratory animals who are still deemed necessary. Hence, the grant is intended for researchers who conduct systematic reviews, meta-analyses, or citation analyses of animal studies or similar work with the goal to reduce animal use in science. This award is also for those who work hands-on with animals, such as animal welfare scientists, veterinarians, and animal care technicians, whose projects can improve the animals’ living situation in the laboratory. The Award includes prize money of USD $6,000. There are no facilities and administrative costs allowed on this award. CAAT Recognition AwardThis award, presented at every World Congress, honors an individual or organization who has made an outstanding contribution to the field of the 3Rs, the development of alternative methods, or the field of in vitro science. Henry Spira AwardThis award was established in 1999 to honor the memory of Henry Spira, a pioneer in the animal rights' movement whose campaign for the use of alternative methods led to the founding of CAAT. It was created to honor animal activists in the animal welfare, protection, or rights' movements who work to achieve progress through dialogue and collaboration. Submission of individuals should include the CV and a covering letter supporting your nomination of potential recipients. Selection Criteria Founders' Award | 
