The future of drug testing is evolving, driven by advances that offer greater precision and human relevance. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, researchers are developing innovative technologies that aim to replace, reduce or refine animal use; improve toxicological predictivity; and accelerate the development of new products.
To advance this work, WARF and MilliporeSigma, a global leader in research and biopharmaceutical manufacturing solutions, have partnered to launch a new WARF Accelerator Challenge Grant. This initiative seeks to identify and support promising campus technologies that can help shape the future of non-animal testing.
Grant Details:
- WARF Accelerator will award 5-10 early-stage projects from a pool of $200,000, co-funded by WARF and MilliporeSigma. Typical awards range from $5,000 to $40,000.
- MilliporeSigma may provide up to $45,000 in in-kind products.
- Proposed research should be completed within a year.
- Project team must include a Principal Investigator (PI) at UW-Madison or the Morgridge Institute for Research.
- A team of WARF staff and MilliporeSigma staff will evaluate and select proposals jointly.
- MilliporeSigma receives no rights to any IP.
Non-Animal Testing Projects
We are seeking innovative projects that focus on alternatives to animal testing in drug development.
Example projects may include:
- Development of an assay workflow, device or tissue-mimetic bioprinted construct that can serve as the basis for animal-free toxicity screening of pharmaceutical compounds.
- Testing of nanoscale drug delivery systems to replace animal models with non-animal models, such as organoids, specifically for neurodegenerative diseases or obesity and metabolic therapeutics.
- See additional examples.
Even if your idea is outside of these examples or is very early stage, please consider submitting an application. We are interested in hearing your idea!
Assessment Criteria:
- Scientific merit
- Novelty of the concept (not previously disclosed to WARF)
- Technical readiness
- Commercial potential
- Quality of the application
To Apply:
Individuals and teams should complete these questions and submit them as an attachment to your innovation disclosure. Please include “Non-Animal Testing Challenge” in the non-confidential description of your innovation.
Deadline for application is May 15, 2026. Awards will be determined by June 30, 2026.
Questions? Contact Jennifer Gottwald, [email protected], 608-960-9854
Note: As this is an internal competition, applications are not routed through RSP and should not be submitted via RAMP.