AWI Funds Welfare Refinement Efforts

Every year, AWI provides financial support for the creation and implementation of “refinement” initiatives meant to advance the welfare of animals used in research through improved housing, husbandry, handling, or care. The Refinement Research Award supports research projects that explore novel refinement methods, and the Implementing Refinement Grant funds the purchase of equipment or training to implement existing (known) refinements.

AWI is pleased to announce two recipients of the Refinement Research Award and eight recipients of the Implementing Refinement Grant for the 2024 funding cycle:

Refinement Research Award

• Dr. Michael Brunt of MWB Research Consulting Services to survey public attitudes around current research practices involving insects.
• Dr. Samuel Olutunde Durosaro of Indiana University, Indianapolis to develop species-specific protocols for adequate anesthesia of insects, including cockroaches, crickets, and yellow mealworms.

Implementing Refinement Grant

• Dr. Diana Coulon of Pennington Biomedical Research Center to purchase materials for climbing and perching for rodents, encouraging species-specific behaviors and providing new places to explore and hide.
• Ioan Cozma of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre for the purchase of tree branches to promote natural tree-gouging behaviors in a marmoset colony.
• Joshua Ejdelman of the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre for the purchase of low-noise and low-vibration wheels for transport carts to reduce stress during intra-facility animal transportation.
• Tania Liboiron of the University of Saskatchewan for the purchase of large, double-decker cages and enrichment items for rats to provide environmental complexity and to allow for social housing without overcrowding.
• Dr. Kerith Luchins of the University of Chicago to purchase handling tunnels for mice and to implement their use facility-wide as a non-aversive alternative to picking up mice by their tails.
• Dr. Carly Moody of the University of California, Davis to purchase elevated platforms and shelters for mice and create educational infographics about the benefits of these enrichment items.
• Dr. Vanessa Oliver of the University of Calgary to purchase pens, toys, and shelters to implement an exercise program for rabbits that will enhance physical, mental, and social stimulation.
• Jenna Owens of Texas Biomedical Research Institute to build cooperative enrichment items for singly housed primates, which allows for social play between neighboring individuals.