April 29, NIH announced a shift in funding priorities to emphasize human-focused research and reduce reliance on animal models.
On July 10th NIH Announced all new Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFOs) involving animal model systems must now also support human-relevant approaches, such as clinical trials, real-world data, or New Approach Methods (NAMs)—including organoids, microphysiological systems, AI-based models, and other human-based technologies. NIH will no longer issue NOFOs that exclusively support animal models or restrict specific model types. Some NOFOs may even exclude animal use altogether.
On July 18th NIH emphasized applicants may continue to propose research exclusively involving human participants (like clinical trials), particular laboratory animals, real-world data, in vitro methods, mathematical models, artificial intelligence, in silico approaches, other alternative approaches, or a combination of models. NIH will continue to support grants that use laboratory animal models if scientifically appropriate, justifiable, and with animal welfare oversight. If laboratory animals are proposed, scientists must continue to clearly explain why they are necessary for their research, that the minimal number needed to ensure rigorous and reproducible studies will be used, and why the study cannot be done using another model or approach.
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