Introducing the COST Action ‘Improving the Quality of Biomedical Science with 3Rs Concepts’ (IMPROVE)

Abstract

The purpose of the ‘IMPROVE’ COST Action. A multitude of entities, spanning from research groups to associations and public institutions, are currently committed to moving forward the principles of the Three Rs (replacement, refinement and reduction of animal use in experiments) through research, funding, education and training, information dissemination, and advocacy. These entities, which are supported by various sources — such as individual initiatives, government funding and non-profit organisations — exhibit a wide spectrum of objectives, tasks and organisational structures, resulting in a fragmented landscape in their approaches to furthering progress in the Three Rs. The European Union-funded COST Action, ‘Improving the Quality of Biomedical Science with 3Rs Concepts’ (IMPROVE), which kicked-off in October 2022, presents an unprecedented opportunity to harmonise and synergise efforts in moving the Three Rs forward.4 European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) is a funding organisation for research and innovation networks, supporting interdisciplinary research networks to investigate a specific topic from all different research fields.5 The ‘IMPROVE’ COST Action aims to establish an interdisciplinary network dedicated to refining, harmonising and promoting the adoption of the Three Rs principles, in order to enhance the quality of biomedical research.