NIH Funding Announcements to Align with NIH Initiative to Prioritize Human-based Research

On April 29, NIH announced it is prioritizing human-focused research and reducing animal use in research. To further this initiative, all new Notices of Funding Opportunity that relate to animal model systems (NOFOs) must now also support human-focused approaches such as clinical trials, real world data, or new approach methods (NAMs). Examples of NAMs include ex vivo human-based approaches, including perfused human organs and precision-cut tissue slices; in vitro methods, including microphysiological systems and organoids; computational and artificial intelligence-based approaches; and combinations thereof.

Importantly, NIH will no longer issue NOFOs exclusively supporting animal models or limit/specify the types of models that must be used. The intent of this effort is to ensure investigators consider the models most appropriate for understanding human states of health and disease and are not constrained by the NOFO. NIH Institutes, Centers and Program may issue NOFOs that exclude proposals for animal use entirely.

This new emphasis on human-based research will accelerate medical advances, save animals and help NIH achieve its crucial mission of improving human health.