The NAM Collaboration Grant: Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Application

This continuous call is specifically designed to accelerate the transition toward animal-free research by funding hands-on, intensive knowledge transfer between two research groups. By enabling labs to share operational expertise, the grant aims to transform high-potential New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) into widely adopted standard practices. 

The landscape of animal-free, human-relevant research is evolving rapidly. Innovative models—ranging from complex in vitro systems to in silico data models—frequently demonstrate that they can provide results that translate much better to human health than traditional animal testing. Yet, despite their scientific potential, the widespread implementation of these NAMs often stalls. 

A major bottleneck is that scientific publications rarely contain the fine, practical details required for another laboratory to successfully replicate a technique independently. In these scenarios, face-to-face, hands-on guidance from the researchers who originally developed or mastered the method is invaluable. Unfortunately, due to a structural lack of time and dedicated funding, expert labs are rarely able to provide this intensive support. As a result, breakthrough innovations remain isolated, and the transition toward animal-free science loses precious momentum. 

The NAM Collaboration Grant directly addresses this hurdle by providing the necessary resources to facilitate practical, peer-to-peer knowledge transfer. The call focuses explicitly on complex 3D human models—such as organoids and organ-on-chip systems—that utilize human primary or iPSC-derived cells. These advanced systems allow researchers to study physiological questions in a highly controlled 3D environment using human material, opening new doors for personalized medicine, diversity studies, and more. 

To ensure a seamless transition of knowledge, this grant requires a joint application from two different research groups: 

• The Receiving Lab: A group eager to implement a specific, sophisticated NAM into their own laboratory workflow to answer future research questions. 
• The Transferring Lab: An expert group with a proven track record regarding the methodology in question, ready to transfer the knowledge and actively train and support their colleagues. 

By compensating the transferring lab for their time and expertise, and funding the receiving lab's materials and personnel costs, this grant creates a win-win scenario that drives efficient, long-term methodology sharing. 

With a total available budget of €500,000,- (which includes a generous contribution from Stichting Proefdiervrij, The Dutch Society for the Replacement of Animal Testing), projects can apply for a maximum budget of €30,000,- per project, with a maximum duration of 12 months. To reflect the collaborative spirit of the call, both the main applicant (receiving lab) and the co-applicant (transferring lab) must claim a share of the budget, with a minimum of 20% allocated to each party. 

Please note that this call operates on a continuous submission basis. Applications will be evaluated strictly in the order they are received. The call opens on June 16, 2026, and will run until March 30, 2027 (14:00 CET)—unless the subsidy ceiling is reached before this deadline, in which case the call will close early. 

Are you ready to join forces and advance human-relevant science? We highly encourage interested researchers to carefully review the complete official text of the call for proposals, which outlines all mandatory conditions, eligible expenses (such as the mandatory use of animal-free reagents), and specific assessment criteria. 

• Read the official Call for Proposals
• Submit your application: Applications must be drafted in English or Dutch and submitted via our online system, Mijn ZonMw. See the grant page for more information.
• Questions? For content-related questions, please contact the program team at mkmd@zonmw.nl. For technical support regarding the submission system, contact the ZonMw Servicedesk via servicedesk@zonmw.nl.