Alternatives Research and Development Foundation Annual Open Grant Program

Alternatives Research and Development Foundation's Annual Open grant program was established to fund research projects that develop alternative methods to advance science and replace or reduce animal use. Proposals are welcome from any nonprofit educational or research institution worldwide, although there is a preference for U.S. applications in order to more quickly advance alternatives here.

Expert reviewers evaluate proposals based on scientific merit and feasibility, and the potential to reduce or replace the use of animals in the near future. Proposals are considered in fields of research, testing, or education. The maximum grant is $40,000, with an average 21% funding rate from 2015 to 2022.

Since 1993, ARDF has provided over $4 million in funds for projects in 31 states and 5 countries.

Key Information: 

• Maximum Award per Project: $40,000
• Open Date: January 18, 2023
• Deadline Date: April 17,2023
• Notification of Recipients: July 21, 2023

Eligibility:

• Non-profit, educational, and/or research institutions 
• May not use intact, non-human vertebrate or invertebrate animals
• Research, testing, and education fields

Preference for proposals that:

• Are from U.S. institutions or organizations
• Utilize silico and in vitro methods with human cells or tissues
• Use path-way based approaches as exemplified by the 2007 National Academy of Sciences report, Toxicity Testing in the Twenty-first Century: A Vision and A Strategy

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the Alternatives Research and Development Foundation website.