Our reports and reviews
Reports, reviews and publications highlighting the 3Rs impacts of our work.
Impact report 2026: Accelerating the use of non-animal reagents for in vitro research
A new report from the NC3Rs highlights the impacts of ten awards made in 2024 to accelerate the adoption of animal-free products and reagents in in vitro research. This targeted investment totalling £905k was designed to address key barriers to the uptake of animal-free products and reagents in order to build confidence in their use in routine research applications. The funding for the call was provided to the NC3Rs as part of a £5M package from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) for non-animal approaches.
Across the portfolio of awards, the projects have supported the characterisation, validation or optimisation of over 200 non-animal derived reagents and model components, directly enabling the replacement of thousands of animals each year. This work has involved 18 academic and industry partners, attracted more than £390k in direct and in-kind contributions from project partners and host institutions, and leveraged almost £1M in follow-on funding to support further optimisation, validation and adoption of animal-free products and reagents.
Impact report 2025: Non-animal methods infrastructure grants
In 2024, the NC3Rs received additional funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT). The funding provided a significant opportunity to address a key barrier to uptake of animal replacement methods – the limited access to infrastructure and specialist resources.
Eleven awards totalling £3.95M were made through a competitive call. The funding enabled national facilities to be established for stem cells, bioprinting, organoids and organ-on-a-chip systems, providing greater access to these technologies as well as training opportunities for researchers across the UK. Since the awards were made in September 2024 more than 1,800 researchers have benefited from the facilities and over 120 academic and industry partnerships are helping to embed the technologies into research practice. Together, these awards are replacing the use of thousands of animals annually and creating sustainable infrastructure to support the continued adoption of non-animal methods across the UK.
The case studies highlighted in the report illustrate the breadth of projects supported and their scientific and animal replacement impacts.
Report 2025: Incorporating new approach methodologies in the development of new medicines
A report from the NC3Rs, in collaboration with the ABPI and MHRA, exploring how New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) can transform the way new medicines are developed – harnessing cutting edge human relevant technologies and reducing reliance on animal testing.
The joint report describes insights from a cross-sector workshop convened by the NC3Rs, ABPI and MHRA, bringing together experts from regulatory agencies, industry and academia. Discussions focused on where NAMs are currently being used in medicines development, the scientific and regulatory challenges to broader adoption, and practical steps to accelerate progress.
Read more in our news item: Incorporating NAMs into medicines development: Insights from regulators, industry and academia.
Briefing paper 2025: Improving translation and minimising animal use with human-relevant in vitro preclinical models
Over the past 20 years the NC3Rs has focused on replacing studies that involve large numbers of animals, high levels of animal suffering, or are poorly predictive in terms of their translatability or reproducibility. From a starting point of scientific excellence, we are developing the next generation of preclinical models and supporting the qualification, optimisation and uptake of in vitro alternatives. This briefing paper outlines our work in this area, driving forward human-based in vitro preclinical models.
Our Vision: 2015-2025
Setting out the NC3Rs vision for the next ten years, the publication is divided into five inter-related areas; Practice, Procedures, People, Places and Policy.
Evaluating progress in the 3Rs: the NC3Rs framework
Our approach to measuring 3Rs impact through a framework that evaluates inputs, and outputs, as well as interim and mature impacts.
2019 CRACK IT Review
Highlighting the work of ten teams involved in our CRACK IT programme which have produced 3Rs focused outputs that include prototypes, products and services.
2019 Research Review
Case studies highlighting the work of 12 NC3Rs-funded scientists, to illustrate the impact of their work on the 3Rs and the wider scientific context.