In May 2021, Taconic Biosciences, a global leader in genetically engineered rodent models and services, invited scientists from the nonprofit sector to participate in a new Academic Grant Program. The Program invited applications for projects focusing on key questions related to animal models of Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, immunodeficiency, humanized immune system (HIS) mice, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Taconic received many strong applications across the globe and each application was evaluated based on scientific merit, technical feasibility, choice of appropriate animal model(s), and the applicant's biosketch. Antonios Chatzigeorgiou, Assistant Professor of Physiology in Medical School of the NKUA was awarded one of the ten grants that were given worldwide. Importantly, only two grants were awarded to European researchers, while the rest 8 grants were given to researchers of US universities.