Research funding grants
The Swedish Fund for Research Without Animal Experiments awards grants to research projects aiming to develop new methods that can replace animal experiments. The first grants were awarded in 1971, and more than 600 funding applications have been accepted since. The total sum awarded in grants for 2023 was 4,85 million SEK (about 450 000 euro).
Use the menu on the left for information about projects funded in recent years.
The call for applications for grants for new projects for 2024 closed on June 30. Decisions are announced in December. More information (in Swedish) here »
Please note that grants are almost exclusively awarded to projects in Sweden and/or international projects including a Swedish partner. Other international projects that may have an impact on the Swedish research community, legislation or education may also be considered for funding.
The application form and instructions are in Swedish only, but the application can be completed in Swedish or English.
Over the years the Swedish Fund for Research without Animal Experiments has supported and promoted alternatives in both basic and applied research in various areas, including diseases such as Alzheimers disease, diabetes and cancer and assays used for drug development. Successful projects include development of new methods for the production of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies as well as basic research and development of tools, methologies and assays in cell biology, biotechnoligy and toxicology. The Fund has also supported the development of computer simulation systems, systems biology and in silico models for toxicology.
Replacing animal use in medical research is one of the main areas of support, with increased funding in recent years.
Toxicology has been one of the major areas funded through the years, and still is. The Fund was one of the main sponsors of the MEIC (Multicenter Evaluation of In Vitro Cytotoxicity) study and was involved in the follow project ACuteTox, which received a major part of its funding from the EU. In more recent years, we have funded the research behind the development of the allergy test GARD (OECD approval in 2021) and validation of skin irritation tests for the purpose of approval for use to test medical products (formally approved for inclusion in relevant ISO standards in 2021).
The Swedish Fund for Research without Animal Experiments has, during its history, also given grants for training of laboratory personnel and for courses in replacement alternatives at university level. Information projects supported by the fund include the NORINA database on alternatives in education.
Social sciences projects have also received some limited funding in the past, including the support of an investigation of attitudes toward animal in the medical sections of a selection of Swedish newspapers. Other areas that may get funding are research on attitudes to animals, the influence of economics on animal experiments and non-animal alternatives and the implementation process for 3Rs.
Senast uppdaterad: 5 juli 2023
