The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) is an independent scientific organisation that supports the UK science base through the application of the 3Rs.

CRACK IT Challenges is a challenge-led funding competition from the NC3Rs which is designed to:

• Fund collaborations between industry, academics and SMEs
• Minimise the use of animals in research
• Support the development of marketable products and/or improved business processes.

This year the Challenges are funded by the NC3Rs and Dstl with in-kind contributions from the Challenge Sponsors (for example, data, access to compounds and equipment).

This year the NC3Rs intends to launch two Challenges:

Metaboderm

Successful completion of this Challenge will deliver new capability to understand/interpret human relevant skin metabolism, including rates of metabolism in the skin and approaches towards metabolite identification.  See here for more information on the Metaboderm Challenge.

InMutaGene

Successful completion of this Challenge will result in the development of a new platform to address the risks of insertional mutagenesis/oncogenesis and to improve the efficiency of translational research in gene therapy. See here for more information on the InMutaGene Challenge.

More information on these Challenges can be found on the CRACK IT website

The competition will be launched at a meeting in central London on 10th September 2015. Potential applicants are encouraged to attend the Launch Meeting where potential applicants can meet the Challenge Sponsors and attend Challenge-specific surgeries where sponsors will describe the Challenge in detail, including key deliverables, in-kind contributions and budget. The meeting is free to attend, but registration is essential – for more information and to register go to the CRACK IT Challenges launch event page.

How to apply

The deadline for applications is 12.00pm (noon) GMT on 11 November 2015. In order to apply you must register with the SBRI for the competition by 12.00pm (noon) GMT on 4 November 2015.

When you register you will be sent login details for the FTP site where you will be able to download the guidance documents, you will also be sent an application form with an assigned reference number. You will need this reference number for all subsequent enquiries.

Questions related to the Challenges themselves should be addressed directly to the NC3Rs at crackitenquiries@nc3rs.org.uk or 020 7611 2233.

Open Date: 14th September 2015
Registration Close Date: 12.00pm (noon) GMT on 4th November 2015
Close Date: 12.00 pm (noon) GMT 11th November 2015