5th ACURET International Workshop/Conference

Mbarara University of Science and Technology,

Mbarara, Uganda, Sept. 20th -26th, 2026

Theme: "Enhancing Laboratory Animal Welfare: Pushing the boundaries to build capacity for Responsible Research in Africa, we must succeed."

AIWC 2026: Call for Proposals &
Abstract Submissions

Animal Care and Use in Research, Education and Testing
Promoting humane animal care and use for scientific purposes in Developing countries.

ACURET (Animal Care and Use in Research, Education and Testing) is proud to announce its 5th International Workshop/Conference, a pivotal event dedicated to fostering humane animal care and use for scientific purposes in developing countries. Following a decade of impactful work, this conference aims to build upon our collective achievements, focusing on the unique challenges and innovative solutions pertinent to researchers, veterinarians, animal technicians, and policymakers in resource-limited settings. AIWC 2026 will convene a vibrant lab animal welfare community, including Veterinarians, doctors, Animal scientists and researchers, policymakers, national regulatory authorities, vendors, students, community leaders, and journalists to share research lessons and tools learned over the years that showcase successful lab animal practices in Africa. With an anticipated 300 delegates in attendance, AIWC 2026 is the single largest gathering of African lab animal welfare researchers.

We invite submissions for abstracts, proposals for Symposia, and ideas for engaging roundtable discussions and training workshops that align with the conference theme. We particularly encourage contributions that explore contemporary topics of peculiar concern to researchers using animals in developing countries, offering practical insights, sustainable strategies, and collaborative initiatives.

WHY ATTEND?

The 5th ACURET International Workshop/Conference offers a unique platform for:

KEY THEMATIC AREAS & TOPICS OF PECULIAR CONCERN:

We welcome submissions across a broad spectrum of laboratory animal welfare, science, and medicine. Special consideration will be given to topics addressing the specific context of developing countries, including:

I. Ethical Oversight and Governance in Resource-Limited Settings:

  • Establishing and strengthening Animal Ethics Committees (AECs) / Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUCs) in nascent research environments.
  • Developing and implementing national guidelines and legislation for animal welfare in research.
  • Navigating cultural and socio-economic factors influencing animal welfare perceptions and practices.
  • Ensuring compliance with international standards amidst local resource constraints.
  • Harmonizing local ethical review with international collaborative research projects.

II. Practical Implementation of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement):

  • Replacement: Promoting and adopting alternative methods to animal use (e.g., in vitro models, computational simulations, field studies) in developing countries.
  • Reduction: Strategies for experimental design to minimize animal numbers while maintaining statistical power and scientific validity.
  • Refinement: Practical approaches to improve animal housing, husbandry, environmental enrichment, and experimental procedures to minimize pain, distress, and enhance well-being, particularly with limited access to specialized equipment or materials.
  • Challenges and successes in implementing 3Rs principles for endemic diseases (e.g., malaria, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases).

III. Animal Health, Husbandry, and Facility Management:

  • Designing and managing cost-effective yet welfare-compliant animal facilities.
  • Addressing infectious disease challenges in laboratory animal colonies unique to tropical or subtropical regions.
  • Nutritional requirements and sourcing of feed for diverse laboratory animal species.
  • Effective pest control and biosecurity measures adapted to local conditions.
  • Training and retention of skilled animal care personnel and veterinarians.

IV. Education and Training in Laboratory Animal Science & Ethics:

  • Developing sustainable, locally relevant training programs for researchers, animal technicians, and veterinarians.
  • Curriculum development for undergraduate and postgraduate education in laboratory animal science.
  • Leveraging online resources and remote learning for continuous professional development.
  • Building capacity for veterinary oversight and clinical care of laboratory animals.

V. Species-Specific Considerations and Indigenous Models:

  • Welfare and scientific considerations for species commonly used in developing countries (e.g., rodents, rabbits, non-human primates, large animals).
  • Ethical sourcing and breeding programs for laboratory animals.
  • Utilizing and validating indigenous animal models for specific local health challenges.
  • Conservation and ethical use of wildlife in research, balancing scientific needs with conservation efforts.

VI. Emerging Issues and Innovations:

  • The role of technology (e.g., remote monitoring, automated systems) in enhancing animal welfare in low-resource settings.
  • Developing local manufacturing and supply chains for animal research consumables.
  • Impact of climate change and environmental factors on laboratory animal welfare.
  • Public engagement and communication strategies regarding animal research in diverse communities.

SUBMISSION CATEGORIES:

  1. Oral Presentations (Abstracts): Original research findings, case studies, reviews, or programmatic descriptions.
  2. Poster Presentations (Abstracts): Visual display of research, projects, or initiatives.
  3. Symposium Proposals: A structured session (90 minutes) with 3-4 speakers focusing on a specific theme, including time for discussion. Proposals should include a session title, brief overview, and abstracts for each speaker.
  4. Roundtable Discussion Proposals: A facilitated interactive discussion (60 minutes) on a challenging or controversial topic. Proposals should include a clear topic, a list of potential discussion points, and suggested facilitators.

Submission Guidelines:

Details of submission can be found at: submissions

Important Dates:

Please note: AIWC follows the "One Proposal" rule, which means that all delegates are limited to one-proposal total (across all categories).

Visit the AIWC 2026 Program page for more information.

Questions? Please email: acuretlearning@acuret.org

Plenary Speaker Nominations: Open Now!

In our pursuit of thought-provoking and relatable plenary talks, the AIWC 2026 is giving the African Lab Animal welfare, science and medicine community a chance to nominate plenary speakers. We are looking for:

  1. speakers who have made major contributions to the science or practice of lab animal welfare in Africa.
  2. Talks that are broadly relevant to an African audience, and contributions in an African context, are a priority.
  3. Speakers can be from any career stage. Self-nominations are permitted.

The committee hopes that proposed speakers are also uniquely positioned to address the theme of AIWC (Lab animal welfare in developing countries, succeed, we must).

How to Submit Your Nomination

Please send your suggestions (one only) to the AIWC Scientific Advisory Committee at acuretlearning@acuret.org by December 15th, 2025.

Your email should include the following:

We look forward to welcoming you to Mbarara, Uganda, for a productive and inspiring conference!

ACURET - Animal Care and Use in Research, Education and Testing

Website: https://acuret.org | Email: acuretlearning@acuret.org