Animal testing once seemed everywhere. It was behind vaccines, laundry detergents, shampoos, and even the pesticides used on our food. For decades, progress depended on it—or so we thought.
Today, science is moving in a new direction. Human-cell models now mimic organs more accurately than animal studies ever could, and AI tools can predict chemical safety in a fraction of the time. For those living in Czechia, the timing is ideal. With local scientists, NGOs, and international researchers increasingly focused on humane testing methods, the country is well placed to contribute to this growing global movement.
One initiative helping drive that shift is the Lush Prize, created by the U.K.–based cosmetics company Lush to support scientific, educational, and advocacy projects that replace animal testing altogether. Now open for its 2026 cycle, the prize offers £250,000 (around CZK 7.3 million) in funding across five categories, from lab-based innovation to public awareness and policy change. The great news? Anyone working to end animal testing—scientists, advocates, educators, or members of NGOs—can apply.
A new wave of ethical research
Czechia’s growing focus on animal welfare is reflected not only in its policies (such as bans on wild animals in circuses and restrictions on street performances) but also in its research priorities. As budget cuts and financial pressures mount in the U.S. and elsewhere, Czechia is poised to become a prime location for international scientists seeking stability, funding, and the chance to innovate ethically.Â
With strong EU research support and an expanding biotech and life-sciences sector, Czechia offers fertile ground for breakthroughs in humane science. Universities in Prague, Brno, and beyond are drawing talent from around the world, while initiatives like the Lush Prize give researchers and advocates a platform to scale new ideas globally.
Global policy shifts underscore the momentum: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans to phase out routine animal testing, the European Commission will unveil its chemical safety roadmap in 2026, and the U.K. is expanding alternative testing methods. Together, these changes mark a turning point, and a chance for Czech institutions as well as individuals to lead in the future of cruelty-free science.
Cruelty-free science in action
The Lush Prize is a cornerstone of its long-running Fighting Animal Testing campaign, supported by its stores and initiatives across Czechia. Now entering its 11th year, the 2026 prize opens for nominations until November 28, 2025, with a total value of £250,000 (around CZK 7.3 million).
The initiative celebrates breakthroughs that replace animal testing entirely, with awards across five categories: Science, Training, Public Awareness, Political Advocacy, and Young Researcher.
Since its launch in 2012, the prize has supported scientists and campaigns worldwide. Past winners include Zheng Tan from the University of British Columbia, who used the 2024 Young Researcher award to expand work on human-cell and organ-on-a-chip models for allergy research. For Czech-based and expat scientists, the Lush Prize provides both visibility and crucial funding in a field that is rapidly gaining global importance.
Beyond the lab, the prize also reinforces a broader message about ethical innovation. It highlights the growing role Czechia can play in sustainability and humane science, whether in cosmetics, consumer choices, or research practices, showing how local talent and global initiatives can advance progress together.
Your chance to make a difference
A truly global award, the Lush Prize has recognized winners from every corner of the world. And it’s not just big organizations, think tanks, and labs that are encouraged to apply. Scientists, early-career researchers, and anyone working on new testing methods or advocacy initiatives are all welcome to submit projects.
Entries can come from anywhere in the world and cover work carried out anywhere, giving every idea a chance to gain recognition and funding. With Czechia emerging as a hub for ethical research, this could be the year a local project takes the grand prize.
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