Resting-state functional connectivity MRI (rs-fMRI) provides a task-free methodology that allows for the non-invasive measurement of global brain network architecture. The use of rs-fMRI has promising potential for animal models, especially rodents, whose functional network architecture is highly translatable to humans. To minimise both head motion and stress, brain imaging of rodents typically involves using anaesthetic drugs to keep the animals still. However, these anaesthetic protocols negatively affect brain function, limiting the scope of studies. There is increasing interest in the use of awake scanning of rodents to circumvent some of the issues presented by the use of anaesthesia. However, the field remains fragmented and there are concerns about replicability, with individual research teams employing varying protocols which can be invasive, impractical, or require restraint equipment that is not widely available. The current project is part of a multicentre consortium effort to address these challenges (led by J Grandjean; https://github.com/grandjeanlab/awake/, https://osf.io/te2m7). This poster will describe our lab’s efforts to establish best practices when carrying out awake scanning in rodents and to contribute to the co-construction of an optimized common protocol for enhancing the detection of functional networks in awake rodents. Procedures for habituation and scanning and preliminary results for four rodents (2 male, 2 female), will be presented. All data will be openly shared with the scientific community through the consortium effort, thus informing future research using awake rodent rsfMRI, refining the use of animal models, and optimising translation.