Wellcome grants involving animal research 2022 to 2023
We support the use of animals in the research we fund if researchers can show that it is legally, ethically and scientifically justified.
This is our analysis of Wellcome grants involving animal research between October 2022 and September 2023.
Grant analysis
The chart below shows the percentage of grants we’ve awarded over the past five years that have involved the use of animals.
18.5% of the grants we awarded from 2022 to 2023 involved animal research.
The data fluctuates each year because the applications we receive and fund vary each year. This means it's difficult to identify underlying drivers or clear patterns in the figures.
Percentage of grants involving animals
Chart visible
Source: Wellcome
Bar chart showing the percentage of grants Wellcome has awarded over the past five years that have involved the use of animals.
Source: Wellcome
Bar chart showing the percentage of grants Wellcome has awarded over the past five years that have involved the use of animals.
Percentage of grants involving animals
Mice were the most-used species in Wellcome-funded research, accounting for 79.3% from 2022 to 2023.
Zebrafish make up the next largest proportion (11.8%).
Breakdown of animals by species 2022/23
Chart visible
Source: Wellcome
Bar chart showing the percentage of animals by species used in Wellcome-funded research.
Source: Wellcome
Bar chart showing the percentage of animals by species used in Wellcome-funded research.
Other species include:
- chickens
- cows
- dogs
- goats
- ferrets
- hamsters
- horses
- non-human primates
- molluscs
- pigs
- rabbits
- sheep
Non-human primates accounted for less than 0.1% of the animals used.
About the data
This data is an estimation, based on the number of animals specified in grant applications.
More information
Contact us
Contact our Funding Information Team if you have a question about funding.
We fund research that uses animals if it is legal, ethical and scientifically justified. All researchers and organisations we fund must comply with the guidelines outlined on our use of animals in research policy.
