The world’s largest funder of animal research, the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) has announced a major commitment to transitioning away from animal research in favour of innovative, human-based science. The decision, unveiled by NIH Director Dr Jay Bhattacharya, marks a turning point in biomedical research policy and promises to improve both scientific outcomes and public trust.
‘By integrating advances in data science and human biology, we can fundamentally reimagine the way research is conducted,’ said Dr Bhattacharya. ‘This human-based approach will accelerate innovation, improve healthcare outcomes, and deliver life-changing treatments.’
To drive this shift, the NIH will establish the Office of Research Innovation, Validation, and Application (ORIVA). The new office will spearhead efforts to develop, validate and expand the use of non-animal research methods across the NIH’s biomedical portfolio, while coordinating with other agencies to support regulatory adoption.
Key changes include:
- Expanded funding and infrastructure for non-animal methods.
- New grant criteria that prioritise human relevance and translatability.
- Training to mitigate bias toward animal models.
- Public reporting on research spending to track progress.
This historic news builds on the agency’s 2024 adoption of expert recommendations to prioritise non-animal approaches and follows the launch of Complement-ARIE—a program designed to accelerate the validation and use of human-relevant research tools.
It also comes just weeks after the US FDA announced it will phase out animal testing requirements for monoclonal antibodies and other drugs.
AFSA’s View: A Huge Win for Animals, Science & Society 🎉
We celebrate this breakthrough as a victory for animals and for people who deserve safer, more effective medical research. It’s a powerful example of what’s possible when science and ethics align, and a testament to the tireless advocacy of US organisations that pushed for reform at the NIH.
Now, Australia must follow suit. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has a clear opportunity to lead by funding modern, human-relevant science. This announcement strengthens our case for urgent policy change—and highlights the need to build infrastructure, training and regulation that supports the replacement of animals in research.
Take Action: Help Australia Catch up 📣
Let’s turn this momentum into meaningful change. Support our I Am Not a Lab Tool campaign by emailing your local MP today. Use our template to ask them to back government funding for animal-free research. It only takes a minute! 📧
Together, we can build a research system that’s ethical, effective and future-ready.