Microphysiological Systems Initiative
FAQ & How To Join

Join the 3Rs Collaborative’s MPS Initiative

The 3Rs Collaborative’s MPS Initiative is the premier expert working group for stakeholders across the industry. We would love for your organization join the over 40 other commercial MPS providers, enabling providers, consultants, end-users, non-profits, and regulators as we work together to advance the field.

Key Benefits of Joining:

  • Collaborative projects
  • Quarterly webinars
  • Industry-facing Publications & Projects
  • Year-Round Advertising
  • Enhanced Conference Advertising

How to Apply

Complete our 3RsC-MPS Initiative Membership Application. Once accepted, we’ll send you information to pay the 1k joining fee (pro-rated for the year).

Below are frequently asked questions about our initiative and further details about the application process.


The 3RC MPS Initiative is an industry group of MPS professionals and end-users that strives to increase the adoption of MPS technologies through stakeholder engagement. To learn more about our group, visit our website and view our charter.

Our initiative is comprised primarily of developers of commercially available MPS technologies. In fact, we have over 40 unique technology providers in our group already. Additionally, we include enabling technology providers and end-users to participate in the group. We work across North America and Europe to increase our impact and recognize the global nature of the field. 

Beyond group membership, our MPS initiative exists in a wider organization that recognizes the value and necessity of animal research. 3RsC is a non-profit dedicated to the advancement of all 3Rs of animal research: refinement, reduction & replacement. 

Commercial members are featured in our MPS technology hub alongside 40+ other top MPS providers. This hub was specifically designed to assist end-users vendor and collaborator selection.

Benefits of joining also include

  • Collaborative projects between Commercial Developers, Enablers, End-users, & Regulators
  • Developers are eligible to participate in quarterly webinars with the IQ-MPS, FDA-CDER, and Other Key Stakeholders. (Specific topics chosen by the IQ-MPS)
  • Consensus-Driven Industry-facing Joint Publications & Projects
  • Support Critical MPS Advancement through projects such as the 3RsC-DILI project which works with 9 developers, the FDA, C-Path, and NIH-NIEHS to advance the use of MPS in regulatory applications
  • Year-Round Advertising
    • MPS technology hub & Publication Hub
    • Logo featured in 3RsC MPS Presentations
    • Logo featured on 3RsC Member Page
  • Enhanced Conference Advertising
    • Member flyer (distributed yearly)
    • Member pin (distributed every other year)

Generally, membership is restricted to commercially available technology providers of MPS systems, MPSenabling technology providers (who have a core mission focused on MPS), MPS end-users, MPS regulatory members, MPS consultants, etc. 

Commercial developers must meet the below criteria for inclusion in the technology hub:

  • Commercially available MPS (ready to sell)
  • Products/Services available in North America/Europe
  • Reference from a Current Member of the 3RsC or Reputable End-User
  • Legally formed Entity
  • Website in English
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As of 2023, it is required for institutions to contribute a minimum of $1000 per institution per year per paid 3RsC initiative. An institution is welcome to have multiple members join. This fee covers inclusion in our Technology Hub for providers. It also covers all the project management aspects of the initiative. 

Some institutions choose to become a higher-level member of the 3RsC to help support our wider mission of advancing better science – for both people and animals and gain additional visibility. Find out more about general membership by clicking here. 

 

We expect an active contribution from at least one member per institution to the various outputs of our initiative. At minimum, we requires a timely response to email requests for key information about your company and opinions on consensus documents. Additionally, we host at least one meeting a quarter (currently on third Thursdays at 12pm EST) and a few hours of additional work a month. Tasks may include providing info for the tech hub, responding to email requests, contributing to our context of use document, etc.  

However, we also recognize that there are phases of the year where you may be able to be more or less active. We don’t expect a continuously high contribution (although it is appreciated). Some of our companies may contribute more for a few months and then less for another few. We also allow companies to have multiple members representing them in the group and so these contributions can be rotated/spread across several individuals in one institution.  

  1. Complete our 3RsC-MPS Initiative Membership Application
  2. Your application will be passed along to our staff and membership committee who will evaluate you for our minimum requirements.
    • All members: Clear personal/institutional focus on MPS
    • Commercial Members:
      • Commercially available MPS (ready to sell) or technology/equipment that enables the use of MPS
      • Products/Services available in North America/Europe
      • Legally formed Entity
      • Website in English
  3. If approved, you will be sent an invoice to pay the membership fee.
  4. Once paid, you will be on-boarded to our initiative.

Once your invoice is paid, our staff will reach out to confirm what members of your company want to be involved in our group and which subgroups they’d like to be a part of. We will send those individuals meeting invitations, an invitation to our MS Teams working space, and add them to our contact list. We will add your company logo to our initiative member list.  Finally, we will share our formal membership expectations, MOU with the IQ-MPS, and communication guidelines. 

See Next

MPS Conferences