Our structure
The NC3Rs is an autonomous body responsible for setting and delivering its strategy and the use of its resources. It is not an independent public authority and for this reason it operates under the umbrella of the Medical Research Council (MRC), which is part of UK Research and Innovation, using some MRC and UKRI administrative systems.
The Chief Executive and NC3Rs team are responsible for setting and ensuring the delivery of the NC3Rs strategy. They are supported by a non-executive Board which provides advice on the strategy, monitors delivery against the NC3Rs mission, and ensures that financial planning and risk management is robust.
The NC3Rs team
Our scientific staff are divided into two workstreams: Science and Technology and Policy and Outreach. These groups encompass several more specialised teams, details of which can be found below. Additional teams work across the office to support our programmes. Further details can be found on our staff pages.
Science and Technology group
- Biologics
- Innovation/CRACK IT
- Research Funding
- Toxicology and Regulatory Sciences
Policy and Outreach group
- Animal Welfare
- Experimental Design
- Peer review and advice service
- Regional Programme Managers
Programme and organisational support
- Strategic Planning
- Communications
- Operations
- Events
Board membership
The NC3Rs Board members have expertise in animal and non-animal research, animal welfare and the 3Rs. The Chair is Professor Kevin Shakesheff, Professor of Advanced Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Science at the University of Nottingham.
Board Members are appointed in a personal capacity for three years, with the possibility of a further two years extension. They are required to declare any private, professional or commercial interests that give rise to, or could be perceived to give rise to, a conflict of interest as detailed in the UKRI conflicts of interest policy. You can find out more about our Board members and view their declarations of interests on our Board members page.
Board meeting minutes
The NC3Rs is an independent scientific organisation, tasked by Government with supporting the UK science base through the application of the 3Rs. Though it is represented legally by the Medical Research Council (MRC), which in turn is part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the NC3Rs is managed independently. To avoid doubt references to the NC3Rs shall mean the MRC, as part of UKRI, in relation to actual legal or contractual liability, loss, right or obligation.