Wellcome grants involving animal research 2021 to 2022

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 2021 and September 2022.

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.

23.2% of the grants we awarded from 2021 to 2022 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.

Breakdown of animals by species 

Zebrafish were the most-used species in Wellcome-funded research, accounting for 49.9% from 2021 to 2022.

Mice make up the next largest proportion (47%).

Breakdown of animals by species 2021/22

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:

  • cows
  • dogs
  • hamsters
  • molluscs
  • pigs
  • marmosets
  • rabbits.

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 

If you have any questions, contact Ignacio Vazquez.

i.vazquez@wellcome.org