Science

The Science Prize is open to individuals, research teams or institutions for work most likely to lead to practical non-animal tests which could be accepted by regulators.

We prioritise projects that are most likely to lead to practical non-animal tests which could be accepted by regulators. We think the most promising approaches include:

  • adverse outcome pathways
  • organs on chips, and
  • computational toxicology

Lush Prize is also particularly interested in human-relevant adverse outcome pathways for systemic toxicology or developmental toxicology.

Science Prize funding is £50,000.

The prize money shall be ring-fenced for non-animal use so that it cannot be used to fund any animal testing whatsoever. In awarding the prize to academic institutions, priority will be given to research teams or groups which deal exclusively with non-animal research.

The prize aims particularly to reward those working in areas where funding is tight and these areas may be given priority. However, applications from large commercial organisations, including those with involvement in animal testing, will be considered from individuals or teams working within these organisations if they are solely focussed on replacement work. Priority will be given to those with a clear commitment to an open-source policy/approach towards the sharing of techniques once developed.

For the 2026 Prize, nominated projects must have been running in 2024 or 2025.

Other Science Awards

 
There are two related Recognition Awards, non-cash awards in areas where money prizes were either not appropriate or necessary.

Major Science Collaboration – for significant international collaborations looking to develop non-animal techniques or approaches more widely and in the longer term.

Health Charity Project – for animal-free work, or collaborations by health charities, that have created important new insights or techniques in the last eighteen months.

Nominations for the 2026 Lush Prize are now open and will close on Friday 28th November 2025.

We accept entries from anywhere in the world, for projects which have taken place anywhere in the world.

We do not accept nominations on behalf of someone else. If there is someone whom you think may want to enter the Science Prize, you can notify them using this email form.

Science Prize Entry Form

Please read the Eligibility Guidelines, Requirements for Winners and Policy on use of AI tools.