Training for Replacement with NAMs: Recommendations from the FELASA Working Group

Rapid advances in life sciences, increased ethical and scientific concerns around animal use, and recent political commitments to phase out animal testing have created an urgent need for professionals trained in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs). Despite the growth of innovative in vitro and computational tools, education and training have not kept pace, and no standardised framework currently equips students or early‑career researchers with the competencies required to work effectively with NAMs.Achieving a transition away from animal use demands long‑term strategy, political will, and coordinated investment. Although Directive 2010/63/EU identifies full Replacement as the ultimate objective, most Member States lack concrete phase‑out plans.NAMs—particularly technologies such as organ‑on‑chip—are inherently interdisciplinary, spanning biology, engineering, microfabrication, pharmacology, toxicology, data science, regulation, and ethics. Current university programmes seldom integrate these areas, leaving learners without the skills needed to develop, evaluate, or regulate NAMs capable of replacing animals in research and testing.To address this gap, tailored training is required across all career stages, supported by national competency centres and networks such as EU3Rnet1. Flexible formats—including postgraduate programmes, semester modules, workshops, and online courses—are essential, alongside stronger foundations in mathematics, AI, and data analytics.We present a practical syllabus and dictionary for educators teaching Replacement and the 3Rs, combining a hands‑on introduction to NAMs with core principles of avoiding animal use whenever possible. Together, these tools aim to support the development of interdisciplinary, accessible courses that foster skills exchange and strengthen capacity across research communities.