New board supports NRP 79 researchers in implementing their results
The implementation of research results into practice is a key focus of the NRP 79 – Advancing 3R. A new board of experts with experience in the implementation of 3R methods supports the NRP 79 researchers in this endeavour.
The Steering Committee has decided to set up a new specialised body: the Implementation Advisory Board (IAB). The task of the IAB is to support the NRP 79 research groups in implementing their numerous research findings. This is done via a newly developed instrument: the research groups can submit implementation projects via this funding opportunity that will help them to transfer their results into practice. The IAB reviews these projects and selects the most promising ones in a two-stage process and supports them during implementation.
These implementation projects are voluntary and are intended to complement the existing NRP 79 research projects. The process is open to research groups from all modules and gives them the opportunity to develop additional ideas that they did not think of when developing their research project - or ideas that only emerged during the course of the project. The research groups also have the opportunity to receive in-depth support and feedback from the members of the IAB. "With this innovative approach, we want to ensure that the results of NRP 79 are implemented in the best possible way," says Herwig Grimm, President of the Steering Committee.
The IAB is led by Merel Ritskes-Hoitinga, Professor of Evidence-Based Transition to Animal-Free Innovation at Utrecht University, the Netherlands.
Further IAB experts include:
- Wilma Lukas, Managing Director, W Life Sciences, Nyon, Switzerland (Deputy chair)
- Jan-Bas Prins, Professor of Laboratory Animal Science, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands (Deputy chair)
- Elisabet Berggren, Deputy Head, Systems Toxicology and EURL/ECVAM, European Commission, Ispra, Italy
- Julika Fitzi, Specialist, Schweizer Tierschutz STS/Swiss Animal Protection SAP, Olten, Switzerland
- Raluca Flückiger, Licensing Officer, University of Geneva Technology Transfer Office (Unitec), Geneva, Switzerland
- Kirsten Kleinschmidt-Dörr, Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) and Head of Corporate Animal Affairs of Merck, Darmstadt, Germany
- Jenny Sandström, Executive Director, Swiss 3R Centre (3RCC), Berne, Switzerland
The IAB will conduct a first round of call for proposals in 2024. A second round is expected to take place in 2026. The total budget available for implementation projects is CHF 500,000.