The NC3Rs was launched in 2004 in response to the House of Lords Select Committee report on Animals in Scientific Procedures, which recommended the establishment of a national centre to increase the focus on the 3Rs.
The NC3Rs is a UK-based scientific organisation dedicated to replacing, refining and reducing the use of animals in research and testing (the 3Rs).
They collaborate with scientists and organisations from across the life sciences sector, nationally and internationally, including universities, the pharmaceutical, chemical and consumer products industries, other research funders, and regulatory authorities.
They support the commitment of the scientific community to the 3Rs by funding research and early career development, supporting open innovation and the commercialisation of 3Rs technologies, and stimulating changes in policy, regulations and practice.
MISSION
The NC3Rs mission is to replace, reduce and refine the use of animals in research and testing (the 3Rs). They use the 3Rs to accelerate scientific discovery, support innovation and technological developments, and address societal concerns about animal research. They have a team of scientists who lead a variety of programmes focusing on three main areas:
1. Funding research and early career development.
2. Supporting commercialisation and facilitating technology partnering in the 3Rs through the open innovation programme, CRACK IT.
3. Providing an evidence base for changes in policy, practice and regulation through data sharing and knowledge exchange, and dissemination through guidelines, publications, online resources and scientific events.
FUNDING
They are the main funder of 3Rs research in the UK with over £50 million committed since 2004. They have a range of schemes to support projects, infrastructure, and training and career development.
The science they fund delivers 3Rs benefits in addition to providing knowledge which helps to improve understanding of human diseases, develop efficacious and safe medicines, and protect the environment.
They also fund the commercialisation of 3Rs technologies through their CRACK IT programme.
