Abstract
Introduction
Laboratory Animals Ltd (LAL) has distributed more than £500,000 (650.000€) in the last 10 years in grants, and more than £1m for activities in at least 30 countries all around the world, since its foundation in 1966.
Since LAL was created in 1966 in the UK, the field of Laboratory Animal Science (LAS) has changed dramatically. The gradual increase in numbers of countries joining the European Union (EU), the updating of the European Community regulations and the progressive adoption into national legislation, the publishing of tools and guidelines elaborated by the EU have contributed to marked improvements in the welfare of animals used in research throughout the EU.
However, the way has not been easy and it still requires the involvement not only of the authorities but also of all stakeholders, in order to contribute to the spreading of knowledge among the scientists and all supporting personnel directly implicated in animal experimentation.
Dr José M Orellana in La Havana, Cuba (2017), with those attending the workshop on Severity and Ethics organised by the Cuban Society of Laboratory Animal Science. Dr Vera Baumans in Sri Lanka (2013) during a training course in Laboratory Animal Science. Drs Patri Vergara, Nanna Grand and Neus Prats with students from South America, India and Europe at the Master's LAS in Barcelona (2016). The now late Dr Harry Blom during a “Training the Trainers” course in Ghana (2017). Announcement for the LAS International Course in Vietnam (2016). Drs Jan Meijer and Pim Rooymans during a training course in Ghana (2017).
It is well known that LAL is a charity that publishes the major European peer-reviewed LAS journal, Laboratory Animals, but maybe it is less known that LAL, through its UK registered charity, promotes education and training in LAS, medicine, technology and welfare.
LAL is dedicated to the furtherance of all aspects of LAS education and training, with the aim of improving scientific quality and animal welfare with a focus on the 3Rs: Replacement, Reduction and Refinement.
Historically, one of the means of furthering these aims has been by the funding of a range of activities carried out by LAL’s European Subscribing Associations, as well as activities in other countries all around the world. For example, during the last 10 years more than £500,000 (650.000€) has been given out in grants to applicants from five continents.
Until a few years ago, the funds were assigned mainly to activities conducted in Europe and to individual applications for attending courses. More recently, the LAL Executive Committee and Council of Management adopted a new strategy in order to reach out to as many people as possible, funding training courses and many other initiatives in countries with no or limited access to education and training in LAS.
Among the most funded type of applications is the organisation of “Train for Trainers” courses in those emergent countries, where European and local lecturers work together to convey their knowledge. This process usually involves LAL funding one or two scientists from those countries in order for them to be trained in Europe, with the intention of them organising courses in their own countries later on, following the European educational parameters.
Since the purpose of grants is to promote both the teaching and dissemination of better practices in LAS, any scientific society, institutions, scientists, students and technical staff from any country can apply for a grant. Grants are not restricted to members of LAL Subscribing Associations.
LAL provides grants in many forms, including to individuals attending training activities, support for scientific meetings, paying towards the expenses of speakers for congresses, organisation of workshops and the translation to other languages of representative scientific articles from the Laboratory Animals journal. LAL also funds the publication of proceedings of scientific congresses, all kinds of educational audiovisual materials, databases and educational e-learning platforms on animal experimentation and even text books for courses. Currently, LAL allocates £55,000 annually for the funding of grants in two announcements in March and September, and the procedure for submission of an application is very straightforward.
Application details can be found on the LAL website https://lal.org.uk in the Funding section. Download the application form, and once it is correctly completed it should be uploaded again into the same web page, as well as supplying the personal data requested.
For individual applications, at least one letter of recommendation or support from the applicant’s institution is required, and for any type of application, a follow-up report is required during the year after the funded activity has taken place.
LAL prioritises funding for:
– Applications associated with LAL’s Subscribing Associations’ activities. – Applications that have the greatest impact, such as those that have a wide international exposure, training courses following the train-the-trainer concept or speakers who will present to the widest audience. – High-quality applications to ensure the highest possibility of success and widest dissemination of knowledge by competent and committed applicants. – Group activities over individual applications. – Activities in countries in which LAS is developing.
Some of the countries outside of the EU where LAL-funded activities have been held include: Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Vietnam.
In conclusion, the LAL members, who all work on a voluntary basis, encourage you to apply for funding for relevant activities in the field of LAS. It is LAL’s aim to support as many worthwhile applications as possible.
Executive Committee of Laboratory Animals Ltd.
Email: