Alternatives in Research (AiR) Challenge program Grant

The Alternatives in Research (AiR) Challenge program, initiated by the Alternatives Research & Development Foundation (ARDF), seeks innovative research proposals that focus specifically on childhood cancer. Projects must demonstrate the value of non-animal methodologies in biomedical research, emphasizing non-clinical or pre-clinical studies. Eligible applicants include non-profit, tax-exempt institutions in the US with qualified researchers. This program aims to improve knowledge and treatment of childhood cancers while adhering to ethical research standards.

The Alternatives Research & Development Foundation
Established in 1993, the Alternatives Research & Development Foundation (ARDF) has been a mainstay of support for developing alternatives to animal-based methods in science. Through grant programs, achievement awards and sponsorship of scientific conferences, ARDF advances high quality scientific research that aims to replace and reduce the use of animals.
Focused on exploring non-animal methods and models, ARDF works constructively with partners in the science community to bring alternatives technology and compassion to modern biomedical research, product testing, and classroom laboratories.
PROGRAM SCOPE and research areas of interest:
Projects should be clearly and specifically focused on childhood cancer—either the most common types of cancer that affect children or rarer types. Proposals that address cancer broadly but do not focus on childhood cancers specifically will not be considered responsive.
Projects should explicitly address the dual aims of the program’s goal to improve knowledge or treatment of childhood cancers and demonstrate the value of non-animal approaches for biomedical research.
Non-clinical or pre-clinical research projects focused on developing non-animal methods/models, novel applications of existing non-animal methods/models, or validation efforts that substantially increase the confidence in existing non-animal methods/models.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants:
only non-profit, tax-exempt (510(c)(3)), non-governmental, educational and/or research institutions based in the US are eligible to receive AiR Challenge funds.Applicants must have a PhD or MD (or equivalent degree) at the time of LOI submission.Eligible projects: Proposals will not be considered if they:
use intact, non-human vertebrate or invertebrate animals (note that this is more expansive than the U.S. regulations or policy regarding animal research and includes all non-human metazoans at all stages of life)use monoclonal antibodies produced by in vivo methods