Skip to main content
Supporting Researchers in the Transition Away From Animals
The field of animal-free science is advancing every day. Paired with recent initiatives at the National Institutes of Health and Food and Drug Administration, more researchers than ever are interested in using more ethical and effective nonanimal approaches. To accommodate this growth, the Physicians Committee’s ERA21 program now has an expanded scope to support scientists in the transition away from animals at all stages of their careers.
In April 2025, the FDA announced a plan to phase out animal testing requirements for monoclonal antibodies and other drugs. Later that month, the NIH launched a new initiative to prioritize innovative, human-based science while reducing animal use, and in June announced that funding opportunities would no longer solicit projects exclusively involving animals. These are groundbreaking steps that will change how medical research and regulatory testing are conducted—saving both human and animal lives.
Training and education play a key role in preparing the workforce to use ethical and effective nonanimal approaches. Scientists at all career levels contribute to improving the research ecosystem and are vital stakeholders catalyzing change in research culture and practice. With the groundbreaking initiatives at the NIH and FDA expanding federal resources for human-based, nonanimal research, education and training opportunities for researchers in this area are more important than ever.
The Engaging Researchers in Animal-Free 21st Century Science (ERA21) program—formerly called Early-Career Researchers Advancing 21st Century Science—is now designed to educate and support scientists of all career stages in the use of nonanimal methods. In addition to immersive educational events and online trainings, the program offers travel awards; a monthly round-up of relevant events, papers, and job opportunities; and networking that goes beyond career development, offering a sense of belonging and community.
ERA21 helps ensure these monumental federal initiatives will have lasting impact. Suitable for scientists at all career stages, the program is a resource for everyone; whether they are just choosing a major or have been tenured for decades, whether they have never experimented on animals or are looking into ways of transitioning to animal-free methods.
ERA21's hallmark opportunity—the biennial Summer Immersion on Innovative Approaches in Science— is a free, four-day, in-person research and career development training event. Summer Immersion educates and trains researchers in nonanimal methods and their many applications in basic, translational, and regulatory science, and inspires them to adopt these approaches in their own research. This program was recently named a winner of the NCATS Translational Science Education and Training Challenge, recognizing it as an exemplary model of translation science education. The fourth iteration of this event will take place June 2026 at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health.
ERA21’s Animal-Free Workshop Series for Early-Career Researchers features cutting-edge nonanimal research and career development webinars. ERA21’s Journal Club is another accessible program that brings attendees of all career stages together to discuss pertinent research articles.
The Physicians Committee’s ERA21 program will continue to grow and adjust to best support the burgeoning community of researchers transitioning away from animals.
