Washington, D.C. – January 28, 2026 – Taylor Woodward, Ph.D., a neuroscientist, educator, and musician, has been awarded the inaugural CPDD/AMP Animal Research Policy Fellowship. The fellowship is a partnership between The College on Problems of Drug Dependence and Americans for Medical Progress (AMP). The fellowship aims to cultivate the next generation of science policy advocates dedicated to promoting the essential role of animal research in addressing drug use and use disorders.

Animal models remain a cornerstone of research into the neurobiological and behavioral underpinnings of substance use disorders. However, these critical tools face growing scrutiny through legislative, policy, and public pressure. There is a clear and urgent need for scientists—particularly those early in their careers—to gain direct experience in the policy landscape and become equipped to advocate effectively for the continued use of humane and ethical animal research in this space.

This fellowship will provide emerging scientists with mentorship, experience, and training at the intersection of science, policy, and advocacy, ensuring the continued advancement of research that informs solutions to pressing public health challenges.

Dr. Woodward believes that “animal models are indispensable for understanding how drugs affect the nervous system, and the more we understand addiction neurobiology, the more we can provide new and better strategies to alleviate problems associated with substance use disorders.”  He looks forward to partnering with policymakers to facilitate scientific research. He shares that he is “excited for the unique mentored opportunity to learn how scientists can advocate for policies regarding the ethical use of animals in addiction research as a part of the CPDD/AMP Animal Research Policy Fellowship.”

Dr. Woodward studies how chronic opioid use alters signaling lipids, a class of molecules that regulate neurotransmission and inflammation. He is currently an Assistant Research Scientist at Indiana University-Bloomington. He has spent over a decade using preclinical animal models to uncover mechanisms of addiction and explore potential treatments for substance use disorders. Taylor earned a dual Ph.D. in Neuroscience and Psychology from IU Bloomington and has authored/co-authored 17 peer-reviewed articles in academic journals. Passionate about bridging science and society, he shares original songs about the brain through music videos online as well as locally at outreach events.

For more information about the CPDD/AMP Animal Research Policy Fellowship, visit our webpage.

About The College on Problems of Drug Dependence

The College on Problems of Drug Dependence (CPDD), established in 1929, is the longest-standing group in the United States addressing problems of drug and substance use, dependence, and addiction research. From 1929 until 1976, the CPDD was associated with the National Academy of Sciences, National Research Council. Since 1976, the organization has functioned as an independent body affiliated with other scientific and professional societies representing various disciplines concerned with problems of drug use and use disorders. In 1991, the CPDD evolved into a membership organization with the new name of College on Problems of Drug Dependence. Currently, CPDD has over 1,000 members. The organization serves as an interface among government, industry, and academic communities, maintaining liaisons with regulatory and research agencies as well as education, treatment, and prevention facilities in the field of drug use and use disorders. Learn more at cpdd.org.

About Americans for Medical Progress

Americans for Medical Progress (AMP) is a nonprofit, health research advocacy group that supports the advancement of human and animal medicine through responsible and highly regulated research in animals.  AMP informs the public about animal-based research through outreach events like Biomedical Research Awareness Day, news and opinion articles, social media interactions and various online and printed publications. AMP is a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity supported by the nation’s top universities, private research facilities, research-related businesses, scientific and professional societies, as well as by foundation grants and contributions by individuals. AMP’s Board of Directors is composed of physicians, researchers, veterinarians, and university officials. Learn more at amprogress.org.

Download the press release here.

The letter is a proactive step to engage NIH leadership before mischaracterizations about primate research and NAMS can take hold.

December 11, 2025

Americans for Medical Progress (AMP) submitted a letter to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, ahead of an expected congressional letter that was being circulated calling for federal agencies to follow the example of the CDC to reduce support for primate research.

This was a proactive step to engage NIH leadership before mischaracterizations in the letter could take hold.

By offering scientific context and outlining our concerns in advance, we ensure that NIH has accurate information and a clear understanding of how the research community views these issues—before AR groups attempt to define the narrative.

AMP’s letter counters the AR groups’ proposals with three recommendations of our own:

1. Reaffirm the need for animal studies when scientifically necessary, and that such studies are strengthened—not diminished—by the development and integration of NAMs;
2. Communicate clearly that NIH supports the full 3Rs framework, and that reducing and refining animal use are essential components of advancing public health and animal welfare; and
3. Prioritize an integrative, convergence-driven research agenda whereby NAMs and animal studies work together to maximize translational and predictive power, including investment in cross-validation studies that can compare data across multiple platforms.

More importantly, we remind agency officials that NIH’s own FY2026 Congressional Justification underscores the essential role of primate research in advancing human health and anticipating future health challenges (see pg. 14).

A PDF copy of AMP’s letter is available here.

April 30, 2025

Americans for Medical Progress issued the following statement regarding the NIH’s April 29th announcement to launch an initiative focused on advancing human-based research technologies while reducing the use of animals.

WASHINGTON, D.C. Yesterday, April 29, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that it is launching a new initiative focused on advancing human-based research technologies while reducing the use of animals. To achieve this, the agency plans to establish a new office within the Office of the Director called Office of Research Innovation, Validation, and Application (ORIVA).

Below, we briefly summarize the announcement, followed by additional context that may be helpful as the biomedical research community assesses next steps.

• The announcement acknowledges that “traditional animal models continue to be vital to advancing scientific knowledge” and seeks to expand researchers’ capabilities to answer complex biomedical research questions.
• New technologies can help researchers achieve more translatable results “either alone” or “in combination” with animal research.
• The goal of ORIVA will be to coordinate agency-wide efforts to develop, validate, and scale the use of non-animal methods across all of NIH’s research portfolio. Additionally, this office will serve as a “hub” for interagency coordination.
• As part of its efforts to expand the use of NAMs, ORIVA will bolster funding, training, and infrastructure for NAMs to improve accessibility and scale.
• NIH intends to implement mitigation training for grant review staff to address “any possible bias towards animal studies” while integrating NAMs expertise into study sections.
• On an annual basis, the agency plans to publicly report the total research spending in NAMs and animal studies to “measure progress toward reduction of funding for animal studies.”

While this announcement may seem new or groundbreaking, this move actually stems from recommendations made back in December 2023 by the NIH Advisory Committee to the Director’s Working Group on Catalyzing Novel Approach Methods (NAMs). In February 2024, then-NIH Director Monica Bertagnolli accepted the recommendations, signaling the agency’s intent to begin implementation.

However, how this new office and initiative are implemented will matter significantly. It is unclear how NIH plans to fund the development, validation, and training around NAMs—especially given looming budget uncertainties. Furthermore, this effort must not come at the expense of other critical research, including animal studies that continue to play a key role in public health.

Certain aspects of the initiative—such as annual public reporting of total research spending and addressing bias in study section reviews—raises legitimate concerns and highlights the need for the new office to take an inclusive, balanced approach to implementation that prevents undue influence from any single interest group.

This is precisely where stakeholder input becomes essential. However, it remains unclear how much stakeholder input will shape the priorities of this new office. The 2023 NIH report emphasized the importance of involving clinicians and other end-users to ensure that NAMs deliver meaningful, translational results. At the same time, the NAMs field still faces challenges around shared definitions, reporting standards, and data-sharing—all of which need to be resolved for such initiatives to succeed.

AMP is committed to advancing science that protects human and animal health. We fully support the thoughtful use of new tools, including NAMs, but believe real progress will come from an integrated approach—where insights from animal research help strengthen NAMs, and vice versa. We will be watching this closely and advocating for informed, balanced implementation every step of the way.

Download a PDF copy of AMP’s statement here. 

March 12, 2025

Americans for Medical Progress (AMP) issued statement today to correct misinformation circulating about “transgender mice” in research.

Recent claims about federally funded research on “transgender mice” are inaccurate and misleading. This research is not related to gender identity; instead, they are focused on studying biological and reproductive development. Some have suggested the intended term was “transgenic mice,” but that is also incorrect in this context. Transgenic mice are used across many scientific fields—including reproductive biology—and are organisms that allow researchers to study how changes in their genes drive health and disease in humans and animals. Recent news does not directly target transgenic organisms. Rather, it focuses on studies investigating natural hormonal and developmental processes.

To clarify, these mice are not “transgender” in any human or social context. Research in this field helps scientists understand how sex hormones function and their effect when things go wrong, particularly in diseases and conditions like endometriosis, infertility, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. This work provides hope to countless individuals, whether in growing their families or enabling people to live longer, healthier lives when faced with a cancer diagnosis.

For instance, one of the research grants recently mischaracterized examines how male hormones, known as “androgens,” affect female hormone levels in women using genetic, molecular, and neurological techniques. Funding for this research is crucial and has already provided valuable insights into treatment options for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a common hormone disorder in women of reproductive age that causes severe pain and fertility complications.

To summarize, the research involving these mice is not about gender identity, but instead focuses on understanding important biological processes that affect health, disease, and reproduction. Misrepresenting this work will hinder our ability to protect our children and weaken progress toward improving the health and well-being of all individuals, regardless of background or belief.

For more information about the importance of animal research in medicine, visit Americans for Medical Progress.

Download a PDF of the press release here

November 25, 2024

Americans for Medical Progress (AMP) drafted and submitted a sign-on letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging robust support for biomedical animal research. The letter was submitted during a crucial time in the Congressional session, as funding negotiations for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 are being finalized amid a Continuing Resolution (CR) set to end on December 20.

Joined by 26 other organizations, the letter underscores the vital role of animal research in developing treatments for humans and animals, empowering the U.S. to lead the way in global science and medicine. To further advance this important goal and address the ongoing challenges confronting the biomedical research community, the letter outlines three recommendations for House and Senate Appropriators:

1. Affirm and invest in necessary animal research to maintain biomedical progress, including the development of New Approach Methods (NAMs);
2. Emphasize high-quality science rather than funding restrictions and arbitrary deadlines;
3. Provide dedicated funding to support and expand the scientific workforce and animal research infrastructure.

To view a copy of the letter, click here.

August 9, 2024

Nakul Aggarwal, Ph.D., a neuroscientist and future medical doctor, has been awarded the ACNP-AMP BRAD Fellowship. The fellowship is a partnership between the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and the health research advocacy group Americans for Medical Progress (AMP). The fellowship aims to raise public awareness about the importance of research for mental health disorders and other brain-behavior topics, including drug interactions, as well as the role of animal studies required for this work.

Click here to read the full press release.

July 8, 2024

Curious Science Writers (CSW) is thrilled to announce the appointment of Karla Chavez-Smith as the new Curious Science Writers Educator Fellow. With her extensive background in science education and her passion for fostering scientific inquiry among high school students, Karla will play a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of CSW’s program.

Click here to see the full press release.

August 14, 2023

Lindsey Galbo-Thomma, Ph.D., a behavioral pharmacologist with more than 10 years of academic and industry experience working with an array of laboratory animal species, has been awarded the ACNP-AMP BRAD Fellowship. The fellowship is a partnership between the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology and the health research advocacy group Americans for Medical Progress (AMP). It was created to help raise public awareness about the essential role of animals in biomedical research, specifically for the study of brain-behavior-drug interactions and advancements in neuropsychopharmacology – the study of all forms of mental health disorders and their treatments. Fellowship winners also help to promote careers in the field.

Click here to read the full press release.

August 1, 2023

A coalition of 40 organizations representing the scientific, veterinary and conservation communities are partnering to advocate for the protection of longtailed macaque monkeys – both in captivity and in the wild. Their recommendations seek to ensure the healthy continuation of this species within natural habitats and to protect future medical advancements that benefit humans and animals alike.

Click here to read the full press release.

March 16, 2023

Recent denials of federal import permits for long-tailed macaque monkeys from Cambodia, following allegations of an animal-smuggling ring in that country, are placing future biomedical progress in jeopardy. This is because approximately 60 percent of long-tailed macaques that are imported into the U.S. for the development of new medications and other health interventions currently come from Cambodia.

Click here to read the full press release.