# Alternative Methods to Animal Testing — Principal Investigator Projects

**Funder:** FWF
**Budget:** €600,000 available from BMFWF (FWF covers any excess)
**Duration:** Up to 48 months
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Single stage — online submission via elane portal, international peer review, decision by FWF Scientific Board
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** AT
**Official call:** https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/funding/portfolio/subject-specific-funding/alternative-methods-to-animal-testing
**Last verified:** 28 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Subject-specific call under FWF Principal Investigator Projects for research on alternative methods to animal testing. Projects must have concisely defined objectives and methodology. Personnel and non-personnel costs applicable; not subject to the restriction on number of projects in progress. Proposals submitted in English via elane; Austrian host institution required.

## Summary

The FWF Alternative Methods to Animal Testing, Principal Investigator Projects call funds research on replacement, reduction, and refinement of animal testing through the FWF PI grants scheme, up to €600,000 over four years. The call is open to researchers at Austrian institutions working on methodological advances in non-animal models, in vitro systems, computational methods, or other translational approaches. Decisions are announced annually in December.

## Who should apply

- Researchers based at Austrian academic or research institutions
- Investigators with concisely defined project objectives in alternative testing methodologies
- Scientists working on replacement, reduction, or refinement of animal models
- Projects with clear methodological focus and feasible scope within 48 months

## Key dates

- Annual call cycle; decisions announced in December
- Single-stage online submission via elan@portal
- Project duration up to 48 months

## Tips for applicants

- Frame your project as methodologically driven, not merely a novel application of existing techniques, FWF emphasis is on advancing the field of alternatives.
- The €600,000 baseline is underwritten by BMFWF; any shortfall is covered by FWF, so budget conservatively within the stated ceiling.
- Submit in either German or English; German proposals are not advantaged, but check terminology precision, alternative-testing vocabulary can differ between languages.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the FWF Alternative Methods to Animal Testing call offer?

Up to €600,000 per project over a maximum of 48 months, with funding guaranteed by either BMFWF or FWF.

### Who can apply to the FWF Alternative Methods to Animal Testing call?

Researchers at Austrian institutions; the call is open to FWF PI scheme rules and is not subject to limits on concurrent projects.

### When are decisions announced for the FWF Alternative Methods to Animal Testing call?

Decisions are announced annually in December; submissions are currently closed pending the next call opening.

### What language can I submit an FWF Alternative Methods proposal in?

Proposals may be submitted in German or English per standard FWF guidelines.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/fwf-alternative-methods-to-animal-testing-principal-in-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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