Current Recipients
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 IFER Graduate Fellowships for Alternatives to the Use of Animals in Science.
Graduate Fellowships
Graduate Student Fellowships for Alternatives to the Use of Animals in Science
The International Foundation for Ethical Research is NOW accepting pre-proposal applications for the 2027 Graduate Fellowship Program.
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM CST on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Grants are $15,000 per year, renewable for up to three years based on student progress and funding availability. Fellows are eligible for a $1,000 travel award to present their research at conferences
Fellowship Overview:
IFER Graduate Fellowships support projects that advance the development, validation, or implementation of human-relevant, non-animal methodologies in research, testing, or education. Funding is directed toward innovative scientific methods with the potential to replace animal models while improving scientific outcomes.
Special consideration will be given to proposals demonstrating a strong likelihood of replacing animal use in research.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must be graduate students enrolled in a degree program with at least one year remaining until program completion at the time the fellowship begins. Students whose projects utilize human cell lines, stem cells, computational models, and other non-animal methods in place of animal models are encouraged to apply.
Fellowship application
Fellowship Application
Application Process
- Pre-Proposal Submission: Submit your application by 11:59 PM CST on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
- Review: IFER’s Scientific Advisory Board evaluates applications for innovation, alignment with IFER’s mission, and scientific merit.
- Invitation for Full Proposal: Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal in May 2026
- Final Round Review: The IFER SAB scores proposals based on NIH-style guidelines. Decisions announced around October 2026
Pre-Proposal Application Requirements
Applicant and Mentor Background: Provide your current graduate program details, including university, department, degree type, and anticipated graduation date. Include your academic background with degrees earned, institutions attended, and major or area of study, along with any relevant certifications, awards, or professional experience.
Project Summary: Include the title and abstract of your proposed research, a clear description of objectives, methods, and potential outcomes, and an impact statement explaining how the project will replace or reduce the use of animals.
Supporting Documents: Provide relevant reference publications (up to five, with DOIs or PDFs for non-open-access papers) and any supporting data or preliminary findings if available.
Ethical Research Commitment: Indicate whether you have conducted or plan to conduct animal experiments during your graduate studies, providing details if applicable, and highlight any relevant training in humane science or non-animal methods.