What’s next?

Your guide to validating and implementing animal-free models

Create your animal-free journey from start to finish – and reach out for help along the way. On this page we share beste practices and links to really get you kickstarted. Find what you need to take the next step in your process. We will guide you towards (completely) animal-free research.

Hop in and start here:

Reflect on your position

Accelerate your ideas

Get inspired

Need help? Just contact us!

Not sure where you stand or where you want to go? We are here to help! if you have any kind of question regarding the implementation or validation of animal-free methods, please reach out to us. We’re ready to help, assist, advise and refer within our knowledgebase and network. Just contact our science & policy advisor Anne Burgers to get your questions answered.

Reflect on your position

But first: Where do you stand?

To move forward, you need clarity first. Where do you actually stand in the transition to animal-free research? Determine the position of your model by answering the questions below. How ready are you to take the next step? And what is necessary to get there?

What’s the development phase of your model?

(Early) development
Standardization
Validation
Implementation
Regulatory uptake

What are you sure of?

(Ask yourself: what is already clear and valid?)

What needs more proof?

(Ask yourself: which aspects need more attention or thought?)

What do you need help with?

(Ask yourself: what do you need to get ahead?)

“Many researchers and policymakers are resistant to change. My scientific articles are often criticized because I don’t use animal models. The system makes you believe that animal models are essential, but that’s just not true. But if you persevere and do a good job, people will eventually recognize the value of your results.”

Giulia Moreni, winner Proefdiervrij Venture Challenge 2023 and Hugo van Poelgeest Prize 2024

Accelerate your ideas

What do you need?

Do you have a great idea for animal-free research? Let’s make it a breakthrough! Whatever your position is – development, validation or implementation – your next step requires focus. Let’s skip the information overload and jump into the right connections, tools and decisions. Pick your topic from the options below and find out how to take the next step!

Find or position your animal-free model

Investigate this if you want to better understand where your model fits and how to move forward without starting from scratch. Many researchers spend time developing models that already exist in some form. Not because the work is unnecessary, but because relevant models are difficult to find or not easily accessible.

Before moving forward, it is worth taking a step back: what is already out there, and how does your work relate to it?

This helps you avoid duplication, build on existing knowledge, and make your model easier to recognise and adopt by others.

You may want to explore this if you:

be unique: want to avoid reinventing existing models
want to know which animal-free model may benefit your research
get inspiration on human-centered, animal-free methods
make sure others can find your animal-free model

Places to start: Animal Free Research UK database / REPLACE / NAMs Funding Compass / BIMooH

Tip!

The Centre for Human Specific Research provides an overview of common barriers in adopting human-specific models, including regulatory, scientific, economic and societal challenges. Exploring these early can help you better position your model and anticipate what is needed for wider use.

Grow your network

Progress in animal-free research rarely happens in isolation. If you feel stuck, the next step is often not more data, but the right people. Many challenges in this field are shared: validation, recognition, funding or navigating regulations. Connecting with others who are working on similar questions can help you move faster, avoid common pitfalls and gain access to knowledge that is not always published.

You may want to reach out if you:

are looking for partners to cooperate with
want to bounce ideas of each other
are thinking about joining broader initiatives
are searching for like-minded people

Places to start: Justify / TPI / Young TPI / Proefdiervrij / hDMT / Ombion / NAT database

Tip!

If you are unsure where to start, begin by joining one network or attending one event. Many collaborations in this field start informally, through shared challenges and conversations rather than formal partnerships.

Publish and share your data

Making your work visible is not just about recognition, it is what allows animal-free models to be used by others.

Many animal-free models remain underused, not because they are ineffective, but because they are difficult to find, not widely shared, or do not fit within traditional publication formats. In addition, established publication practices and expectations can make it harder for non-animal methods to gain recognition. A pattern often referred to as the animal methods bias.

Sharing your work (including negative or unexpected results) helps build a more complete and reliable knowledge base. It also contributes to shifting the current preference for labratory animals by making human-relevant data more visible and accessible.

You may want to share your work if you:

make your model more visible
share negative or non-traditional data
break through the animal methods bias
build your career

Places to start: BioRxiv / Short Notes platform / ALTEX / NAM Journal / COLAAB

Tip!

Want to better understand how publication practices and review processes influence the uptake of animal-free methods? Read more about the animal methods bias in our article about this subject.

Ready to validate?

Of course you are! But beware: this is where many promising models get stuck. You might have strong results, but without proper validation your model won’t be accepted or used. If you want to move towards real-world impact and regulatory uptake, then validation is key.

In current practice, validation can still involve comparisons with animal data. Not because animal models are inherently required, but because they are still widely used as a reference point in many scientific and regulatory frameworks.

This is part of a system that is still adapting. By generating robust, human-relevant data and clearly demonstrating reliability, you contribute to shifting validation practices over time.

So, buckle up and proceed if you want to…

get your model acknowledged
move towards regulatory uptake
understand what is needed for actual validation

Places to start: NAM Navigator / Ombion / NAMs Funding Compass

Tip

The NAM Navigator provides step-by-step guidance on how to move from model development towards regulatory acceptance, including what kind of evidence is needed at different stages. Exploring this early can help you better understand what validation may be required in your specific context.

Collaborate with companies

Once your model is validated, collaboration with companies can help move your work beyond the lab.

Academic research often focuses on development and proof of concept. But applying a model in real-world settings (such as drug development, safety testing or product development) often requires collaboration with industry partners.

Working with companies can help you explore new applications, scale your model, and better understand what is needed for practical use.

You may want to explore this step if you:

willing to expand your model to other areas or take it to market
looking for partners for your project within the business world

Places to start: Proefdiervrij Venture Challenge / NAT database / Ombion / hDMT

Tip

With the Proefdiervrij Venture Challenge, we help researchers take their work beyond the lab. We work together on translating your model into real-world applications and exploring collaboration with industry partners.

Work completely animal-free

We love your ambition! If you want to move beyond reducing animal use and work fully without animal-derived materials, this is the next step.

Many research methods still rely on animal-based components, such as foetal calf serum. Moving towards fully animal-free research means identifying and replacing these materials with human-relevant or synthetic alternatives.

You may want to explore this route if you:

not only want to diminish working with laboratory animals, but also want to exterminate all animal material in your research methods
want to make your lab or research approach completely animal-free

Places to start: Peerlogic / FCSfree / BMEfree / Antibody & mimetics database / ReALiSe / NAMs Funding Compass

Tip:

Learn more about why and how animal-derived materials are still used in research (and how to replace them) in our article: animal materials in research.

Get inspired

Learn from trailblazers

Innovation doesn’t happen spontaneously: it is driven by determined individuals with a clear vision. In recent years, an increasing number of researchers have joined the animal-free movement. In our growing network of over 200 experts you will find answers and inspiration about:

Best practices, stories and insights from researchers working with animal-free models
Common pitfalls and opportunities when taking the next step
Practical advice based on real-world experience

So, get ahead and browse through our website. Or get in touch and plan a meeting to find out more!

Tip! Newsletter for scientists

Subscribe to our newsletter on animal-free research and innovation. You’ll be updated on a regular basis on topics such as calls for proposals, events and new projects.

Subscribe

“We have seen a lot of promising animal-free innovations being developed over the years. However, we do think we can increase our impact as a community by providing clarity wherever we can. Clarity in figuring out where you stand, what your next step can be and who can potentially help you. Our task lies in connecting the dots between ambitious people, excellent scientific research and brilliant animal-free solutions.”

Debby Weijers, Director of Proefdiervrij

“In order to get your model validated you really have to be persistent. We are there to walk this path with you and share our knowledge. Together we will make it work.”

Daniela Salvatori, Scientific Director of Ombion Centre for Animal-free Biomedical Translation

“Our Basement Membrane Extract (BME)-free database helps researchers to identify animal-free alternatives to BME. Beyond ethical and sustainability concerns, there are scientific objections against the use of BME. That’s why we support in vitro models free from animal-derived products.”

Melissa van Velthoven, Project Leader at 3Rs Centre Utrecht

LinkedIn Group: Animal Free Gallery

Share your experience!

We are committed to connect international scientists in order to scale up animal-free innovations and celebrate best practices. Whenever you have something that you’re proud of or enthusiastic about, head to LinkedIn to publish your update in our Animal Free Gallery. We can’t wait to welcome you in our virtual community!

Animal Free Gallery

Updates about animal-free research

Do you know our website has a section especially for scientists? Here we share news, insights and event updates (in English and Dutch). For example, interviews with researchers who work (completely) animal-free, international policy updates and highlights in the world of animal-free science. Take a look and get inspired!

For scientists

Want to work together?

We support researchers and innovators who want to take the next step towards animal-free science. Whether you are looking to collaborate, need support in developing your approach, or are exploring funding opportunities. We are here to help.

Take a look at how we work with research partners and how you can move your idea forward.

Let’s work together

“I have always enjoyed working with commercial partners. For example, a software company helps me to analyze our laboratory data. This helps increasing the relevance and impact of my research.”

Bas van Balkom, Assistant Professor at UMC Utrecht

“(Young) TPI aims to remove barriers, align stakeholders and create the conditions for change. At hDMT we are eager to collaborate and exchange knowledge to advance dynamic human models. Together we can go further.”

Saskia Aan, Manager Science at hDMT and Board Chair at YoungTPI

“It’s not easy to get animal-free research published, and animal methods bias is one of the underlying reasons. As a researcher you do not automatically have to comply when requests for animal experiments are made – useful scientific arguments can be found at the COLAAB webpage.”

Jeffrey Bajramovic, Director of the 3Rs Centre Utrecht

Ready for the next step? Join the Proefdiervrij Venture Challenge

Every year since 2021 we organize the Proefdiervrij Venture Challenge. By actively stimulating innovative biomedical start-ups to grow and develop, we want to accelerate and increase the impact of animal-free research.

The Proefdiervrij Venture Challenge offers coaching and mentoring to the participating teams, in order to realise strong business cases and sustainable solutions in animal-free research. Want to know more? Read all about previous editons and how to shape a proposal, so you know what to expect and might be able to join the next Proefdiervrij Venture Challenge.

Learn more

Get in touch!