Transition Programme for Innovation without the use of animals (TPI) is a programme promoting the transition to animal-free research. A partner programme in which ministries and other organisations work together.

photo hand in purple glove with cells in Petri dish

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The Netherlands aims to become an international frontrunner in creating innovations that make animal testing obsolete. For this reason, the national government is encouraging the development and application of research methods that do not involve animal testing. This is being conducted through the partner programme Transition Programme for Innovation without the use of animals. 

We all want a safer world for humanity, animals and the environment (animated video)

Transition to Animal-free Innovation...

...abbreviated as TPI is a programme designed to enhance the transition to animal-free research.

A partner programme in which ministries
join forces with other organisations.

We all want a safer world for humanity, 
animals and the environment. 

That includes animal testing. 

However, there is much debate about animal testing, because of the animal suffering...

...and because the results are not always
applicable to humans.

After all, a rabbit differs from a human being.

In some cases, research on human cells,
human tissue or human data, 

 provides better answers to questions
about the human body.

Our mission is therefore to achieve better
prediction without animal testing.

But animal-free innovation does not simply mean replacing an animal test with another method.

Let us explain. 

Animal testing is constantly being improved
using the three R’s:

Replacement where possible,

Reducing the number of animals where possible,

and Refining techniques to improve animal welfare.

You might be thinking: 

replacing animal testing,

surely that’s enough? 

Yes, that would be ideal. 

But TPI takes a wider view:

What is the societal issue we are trying to solve?

What research question do we need to ask?

And how can we find the best answers?

New methods can often be a great way forward,

for example:

Cells in a petri dish,

Cells working together as a mini-organ,

Computer programs that calculate
test data from patients,

or a combination. 

But how can we be sure that these
new methods are effective?

Instead of comparing them to animal testing,
which is less reliable,

we compare them to reliable data on humans.

At present, some types of research still
need to use animal testing.

But as more animal-free innovations emerge,
this need will gradually decrease.     

As long as animal testing exists, 

we must continue to use the three R’s.


In the meantime, we are doing all we can to accelerate the transition through:

information, communication, grants,

meetings and events, networks and projects.

TPI involves a major system change. 

We need everyone to be part of that process:

researchers, lecturers, patients,
animal welfare groups,

businesses, administrators, politicians,

lawmakers and a host of others.

We need to join forces to make
this transition happen.

That means pushing boundaries
and making connections.

The transition is already in full swing! 

Do you want to help?

*Logo TPI appears*

TPI in stories

The TPI programme is broad. A lot of people are involved. We share their stories to discover the opportunities and concerns regarding animal-free innovation. 

Sue Gibbs met Willy van Heumen oeuvreprijs
Sue Gibbs

“I am a born optimist!”

Sue Gibbs is amongst others professor of Skin and Mucosa Regenerative Medicine and Head of the Skin Lab at the Amsterdam UMC. Gibbs is both positive and nuanced when it comes to a future in which medical research is animal-free. Interview Sue Gibbs

Foto Henriëtte Bout
Henriëtte Bout

“We must ensure that the discomfort about the use of animals for science remains part of the discussion”

Henriëtte Bout is programme coordinator of Professional Ethics and Philosophy of Science at the UvA. Interview Henriëtte Bout

TPI initiatives

The TPI partners are developing initiatives to accelerate the transition. The broader network is also working on animal-free innovations.

plate with cups containing liquid and electronics for animal-free research

More Knowledge with Fewer Animals (MKMD)

Funding for developing new methods, and improving existing ones, for research without animal testing, that is what the More Knowledge with Fewer Animals  programme run by research funder ZonMw offers. 

logo venture challenge

Putting animal-free methods on the market faster

Studies that replace animal testing do not always reach the market. One reason is that it is hard to find investors. Stichting Proefdiervrij is researching ways in which this can be improved. 

Milestones towards animal-free innovations

The Netherlands aims to become a driving force in accelerating the transition involving biomedical research and clinical drug trials without using animals. The (partners in the) Transition Programme towards Innovation without the use of laboratory animals have a slogan that says it all: Better predictions without the use of animals. The timeline provides an overview of the developments required in order to achieve that aim.