BOARD – Be Open About Animal Research Day – is a global, 24-hour social media campaign, created by EARA in 2021, which celebrates openness by biomedical institutions across the world in communicating animal research.
Celebrating openness about animal research
Despite the welcomed increase in openness about animal research over the last decades, institutions worldwide continue to have barriers when communicating animal research, including a lack of examples of best practices and confidence and institutional inertia. BOARD encourages and supports institutions and individuals to overcome these barriers.
With hundreds of participants around the world and a growing impact, BOARD has been a driving force in promoting an institutional shift that prioritises transparency in animal research. Every year, BOARD contributes to showcasing good animal research practices, to counteract misinformation about animal research and to celebrate those who work to provide animals with the best care and welfare while contributing to animal and human health. how to respond to difficult questions in a constructive, evidence-based way.
How can I participate?
Do you or your institution work with animals in the context of research?
If yes, save the date for the next edition of BOARD — #BOARD26 — which will take place on 9 July 2026. You can participate in many ways! The theme for this year is: “It’s not NAMs versus Animal Research!”
1. Hold a public event during BOARD about animal research at your institution.
Examples include holding a debate for the local community and inviting people from the administrative departments or members of the institution and their families to visit the animal facilities and learn about animal research.
2. Prepare an infographic sharing information about the use of animals in research.
Examples of questions that you may tackle include:
How many animals were used last year in your institution? Which species do you use in your institution/research, and why? Which questions can you already answer with new approach methodologies (NAMs)?
4. Support #BOARD26.
If you don’t have the resources for any of the above, send us your logo to become a partner in your country or support BOARD by following our social media channels and engaging with and sharing #BOARD26